F 681 
.fl752 
1919 
Copy 1 




A HISTORY OF 

KAN S AS 





Class. 
Book. 



FG8 



'A ^.c 



Copyright ]^?_Z2ZZ 



COEffilGHT DEPOSIli 



fv 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

BY 

ANNA E. ARNOLD 

AUTHOR OF CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP 




PUBLISHED BY 

THE STATE OF KANSAS 

IMRI ZUMWALT, State Printer 
TOPEKA, 1919 



mi 



Copyright 1914, Anna E. Arnold 



Copyright 1919 (Revised), Anna E. Arnold 
All Rights Reserved 



.tr I9!9!y 



©C;.A530850 



PREFACE 

No State has a history better calculated to inspire 
patriotism in its people than has Kansas. In this fact 
lies the greatest reason for teaching Kansas History in 
the schools. A knowledge of the difficulties that have 
been met and conquered in building the State will create 
in the minds of the boys and girls a greater respect for 
the sturdy qualities of the pioneers; it will give them a 
wholesome sense of the great cost at which the ease and 
comfort of to-day have been purchased; it will stimulate 
in them a desire to live up to the past. 

If the study of Kansas History is to accomplish these 
results, the subject must be presented in such a way as 
to arouse the interest of the pupils. They must feel its 
reality. They must catch its spirit. 

With the hope of fulfilling in some measure these re- 
quirements, this book has been prepared with the fol- 
lowing aims constantly in mind: to make it, as nearly as 
possible, a narrative; to select from the wealth of material 
at hand such subject matter as is within the comprehension 
of children, eliminatirg such matter as can be fully under- 
stood and appreciated only by mature minds; to present 
the general movement of the State's progress rather than 
a mass of unrelated facts. Only so much detail has been 
used as is necessary to a clear understanding of events. 
The purpose has not been to chronicle a multitude of 
events, but rather to show forth what manner of men and 

(6) 



6 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

women were the builders of our State, what motives 
actuated them, what conditions surrounded them, how 
they hved, and what they accomphshed. 

An effort has been made to give the pupils a general 
view of the State's history as a whole, to give them a 
framework on which to build their later knowledge, and 
to leave them with a desire to learn more of Kansas 

^^^°''^- Anna E. Arnold. 



CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

I. The Beginning of Kansas History 9 

II. Kansas Becomes a Part of the United States . . 16 

III. Exploration of the Kansas Country by the 

United States 20 

IV. Kansas as a Pathway 29 

V. Kansas as an Indian Country 45 

VI. Kansas Organized as a Territory 55 

VII. The Coming of the Settlers 62 

VIII. The First Territorial Government 72 

IX. Rival Governments in Kansas 78 

X. The Period of Violence 83 

XI. The Period of Political Contests 94 

XII. Pioneer Life 102 

XIII. Kansas in the Civil War 109 

XIV. The Period Since the Civil War 115 

XV. The Industries of Kansas 142 

XVI. Transportation in Kansas 174 

XVII. Education in Kansas 187 

XVIII. Kansas Memorials 207 

XIX. The Kansas Spirit 217 

Appendix 223 

(7) 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



QUIVERA— KANSAS 

In that half-forgotten era, 
With the avarice of old, 
Seeking cities he was told 
Had been paved with yellow gold, 

In the kingdom of Quivera — 

Came the restless Coronado 
To the open Kansas plain, 
"With his knights from sunny Spain; 
In an effort that, though vain. 

Thrilled with boldness and bravado. 

League by league, in aimless marching, 
Knowing scarcely where or why, 
Crossed they uplands drear and dry, 
That an unprotected sky _ 

Had for centuries been parching. 

But their expectations, eager. 

Found, instead of fruitful lands. 
Shallow streams and shifting sands, 
Where the buffalo in bands 

Roamed o'er deserts dry and meager. 

Back to scenes more trite, yet tragic. 

Marched the knights with armor'd steeds; 
Not for them the quiet deeds; 
Not for them to sow the seeds 

From which empires grow like magic. 

Thus Quivera was forsaken; 

And the world forgot the place 
Through the lapse of time and space. 
Then the blue-eyed Saxon race 

Came and bade the desert waken. 

— Eugene Ware. 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



CHAPTER I 
THE BEGINNING OF KANSAS HISTORY 

Introduction. More than four centuries have passed 
since Columbus discovered America. During that time 
the hunting ground of three hundred thousand Indians 
has become the United States with its more than one 
hundred milUon civiUzed people. In the center of this 
great nation, which occupies nearly half the area of the 
continent, lies Kansas, a rectangle four hundred miles 
lorg and two hundred miles wide. 

Kansas is a part of the great plain that slopes gradually 
from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the Mis- 
sissippi River. Its surface, cut by many eastward-flowing 
streams, lies level in the west but in the east curves into 
courtless hills and valleys. 

On these broad prairies to-day are thousands of cattle, 
and great fields of corn, wheat, and alfalfa. Towns and 
cities are scattered over the State, and the country be- 
tween is dotted with the homes of farmers. There are 
mines, factories, churches, schools, and colleges. Uniting 
all are miles and miles of railroad. Kansas is now the 
home of more than a million seven hundred thousand of 
busy, prosperous people. But it was not always so; these 
prairies were once used only by the Indian and the buffalo. 
If we are to understand how this change has come about 
we must begin with the coming of the first white men to 
America. 

The First White Men in Kansas. At that time Spain 
was the most powerful nation of Europe, and since she 

(9) 



10 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

had furnished the funds for the voyage of Columbus she 
claimed the first right to America and became the pioneer 
in the exploration of the New World. The Spaniards first 
explored the Gulf of Mexico and Florida, discovered the 
Pacific Ocean and the Mississippi River, and were the first 
to sail around the world. In 1519 Cortez, a Spaniard, 
landed on the present site of Vera Cruz and marched into 
the heart of Mexico, the home of the Aztec Indians. He 
made himself master of that great region and called it 
New Spain. All of these expeditions were too far south to 
reach what is now Kansas, but only a few more years were 
to pass before this far-off country was to be explored by 
the adventurous Spaniards, the first white men to set foot 
on Kansas soil. 

Cabeza de Vaca. In 1528 Narvaez, a Spaniard, led 
an exploring expedition westward from Florida along the 
Gulf of Mexico. Through various misfortunes and hard- 
ships nearly all of the party perished. One of the com- 
manders, Cabeza de Vaca, and three of his men were taken 
prisoners by the Indians. After being held in captivity 
nearly six years they succeeded in making their escape. 
They fled westward, and after an adventurous journey of 
nearly two years reached a Spanish settlement near the 
western coast of New Spain. The exact route followed by 
Cabeza de Vaca and his companions can never be known, 
but his accounts of their wanderings were largely the cause 
of the expedition of Coronado, who was the first white 
man known with certainty to have traveled across what is 
now Kansas. 

Purpose of the Spaniards. The chief purpose of all the 
Spanish explorers was to search for wealth. Cortez is said 
to have made this remark to the Indians: "We Spaniards 
are troubled with a disease of the heart for which we find 
gold, and gold only, a specific remedy." The hope of 



THE BEGINNING OF KANSAS HISTORY 11 

finding gold and precious stones lying about like pebbles 
lured many Spaniards into enterprises filled with terrible 
hardships. Reports of great cities of untold wealth to the 
northward, the "Seven Cities of Cibola," as they were 
called, had reached New Spain at various times, and when 
Cabeza de Vaca told similar tales that he had heard from 
the Indians it stirred the Spaniards to explore the region. 

Coronado. Great preparation was made for an ex- 
pedition. An army of three hundred Spaniards and eight 
hundred friendly Indians was gathered and placed under 
the command of Coronado. This was a large army for 
those times and the burden of furnishing it with arms and 
supplies fell heavily on New Spain. But so hopeful were 
the people of the success of the expedition that no sacrifice 
seemed too great. In the spring of 1540 the long march 
into unexplored country began. 

The Search for Quivira. After months of travel in a 
northerly and then in a northeasterly direction, Coronado 
and his army reached the province of Cibola, which was 
probably in the western part of what is now New Mexico, 
and the "Seven Cities" proved to be ordinary adobe 
Indian villages. They took possession of the Indian sup- 
plies and spent the winter in the villages. The Indians, 
anxious to get rid of their unwelcome visitors, persuaded 
a Quivira Indian, whom they held as a prisoner, to tell 
the Spaniards tales of the wonderful land of Quivira in 
order to lead them off into the wilderness where they would 
die from lack of food and water. Coronado and his men 
listened to this Indian, whom they called "Turk," and 
followed him as a guide for many days. He led them 
steadily toward the east, and after a time they became 
convinced that they were being deceived and made him 
confess that Qui\'ira was far to the northward. They had 
been only too willing to listen to Turk's stories, but when 



12 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



they learned that he had misled them they put him to 
death. Supplies were now low and Coronado sent back 
the main body of the army, which was composed of foot- 
men, and with thirty horsemen started northward. 

Coronado in Kansas. It must be remembered that the 
whole country was a vast wilderness without names or 
boimdary lines, and we can describe the journey of the 




The Journeys of Cabeza de Vac4 and Coronado. 

Spaniards only by using names and boundary lines that 
have come into existence long since that time. As nearly 
as can be learned, Coronado and his men entered Kansas 
about where Clark County now is, and went on northward, 
crossing the Arkansas River at or near the site of Dodge 
City. From this point they followed the river to Great 



THE BEGINNING OF KANSAS HISTORY 



13 



Bend, and then continued in a northeasterly direction to 
the vicinity of Junction City. At the end of their journey 
they set up a cross bearing the inscription: "Francisco 
Vasqueth de Coronado, commander of an expedition, ar- 
rived at this place." 

Quivira Found. After all this weary journey they had 
reached Quivira and found it to be merely the home of a 









J 


] 




1 




y 


^tI 


W 


i- 


1 




Hkjj^'Iv^I 


Hlti 


.^J..4a _. 


# 






wHi 








. ^^ 


^^H^rak 









"Francisco Vasqueth de Coronado, Commander of an Expedition, 
Arrived at this Place." 

tribe of Indians, the Quiviras, later known as the Pawnees. 
Coronado wrote in a letter to the King of Spain: 

"The country itself is the best I have ever seen for 
producing all of the fruits of Spain, for, besides the land 
itself being very fat and black, and being very well watered 
by rivulets, springs, and rivers, I found prunes like those 
in Spain and nuts and very good sweet grapes and mul- 
berries. I remained twenty-five days in this province of 
Quivira, both to see and explore the country, and to find 
out whether there was anything beyond which could be 
of service to your Majesty, because the guides who had 



14 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

brought me had given me an account of other provinces 
beyond this. And what I am sure of is that there is not 
any gold or any other metal in all that country, and the 
other things of which they told me are nothing but little 
villages, and in many of these they do not plant anything, 
and do not have any houses, except of skins and sticks, 
and they wander around with the cows. So that the 
account they gave me was false, because they wanted to 
get me to go there with the whole force, believing that as 
the way was through such uninhabitable deserts, and from 
lack of water they would get us where our horses and we 
would die of thirst. And the guides confessed this, and 
they said they did it by the advice of the natives of these 
provinces."^ 

Coronado's Return to New Spain. Empty-handed, 
Coronado and his little band of Spanish knights turned 
toward New Spain and carried to their waiting coun- 
trymen the disappointing story of their two years' expe- 
dition. With this event fifty years had passed since the 
discovery of America, and for the next two and a half 
centuries little attention was paid to the Kansas country. 

SUMMARY 

The history of Kansas begins with the first exploration 
of this country by white men nearly four hundred years 
ago. Spain was the first nation to explore the New World. 
The chief purpose of the Spaniards was to find gold. 
They had heard from the Indians of rich cities to the 
northward, and when Cabeza de Vaca told them similar 
tales the people of New Spain decided to explore the 
country. They sent Coronado with a large army on a 
journey of exploration lasting two years. He failed to find 
gold, but his expedition is of interest because he was the 
first white man known to have traversed what is now 
Kansas. 

1. Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. 



THE BEGINNING OF KANSAS HISTORY 15 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 1-23. 

Foster, A History of the United States, p. 29. 

Spring, Kansas, pp. 17-19. 

Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 44-45. 

Bourne, Spain in America (vol. in, of The American Nation, 
a History). 

Blackmar, Kansas, Selected Topics. 

Historical Collections, vol. vil, pp. 20, 40, 268, 573; vol. VIII, 
p. 152; vol. X, p. 68; vol. xii, p. 219. 

Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. 

QUESTIONS 

1. How long has it been since Columbus discovered America? 

2. Compare the population at that time with the present popu- 
lation of the United States. 

3. In what part of the United States is Kansas? 

4. Describe briefly the western part of the Mississippi valley. 
Describe the surface of Kansas. 

5. What relation has Spain to the history of Kansas? Why 
did Spain claim the first right to America? Name some of the early 
discoveries of the Spaniards. 

6. Where was New Spain? 

7. What influenced the Spaniards in their ventures in the New 
World? 

8. Who was Cabeza de Vaca? Of what importance is the ac- 
count of his adventures? 

9. Tell the story of Coronado. What is his relation to Kansas 
history? 



CHAPTER II 

KANSAS BECOMES A PART OF THE UNITED STATES 

The French. While the Spaniards were searching for 
wealth in the southern part of North America the French 
were trading with the Indians in the northern part along 
the St. Lawrence River and around the Great Lakes. 
Among the French were many Catholic priests, called 
Jesuits, who came to carry their religious faith to the 
Indians. In 1673, one of these Jesuits, Father Marquette, 
accompanied a trader named Joliet on an expedition to 
explore the Mississippi River. They launched their canoes 
on the great river and floated downstream for hundreds of 
miles, between shores that in some places were thickly 
wooded, and in others were grassy plains. They went as 
far south as the mouth of the Arkansas River, and then 
turned and began the long, hard task of paddling back. 

La Salle and Louisiana, 1682. Among those who heard 
of the journey of Marquette and Joliet was a young French- 
man, La Salle. He planned to explore the whole Mis- 
sissippi basin and to take possession of it in the name of 
the King of France. In 1682, with a fe\^ companions, he 
floated down the Mississippi to its mouth. Her-^, with 
much ceremony, they planted a cross, buried a leaden 
plate inscribed with the arms of France, and declared that 
all the land drained by the Mississippi River and its tribu- 
taries should belong to France, and should be named 
Louisiana in honor of the French King, Louis XIV. 
Thus in 1682, nearly two centuries after the discovery of 
America, Kansas came into the possession of the French. 

The End of Spanish and French Explorations. The 
French soon planted a few colonies and forts along the 
Mississippi River and sent out explorers, some of whom 

(16) 



KANSAS BECOMES PART OF UNITED STATES 17 

may have entered the present bounds of Kansas. This 
roused the Spaniards in Mexico, who wished to hold the 
territory for Spain, and they also sent expeditions. The 
armies of both nations suffered severely at the hands of 
the Indians and the exploration of the Kansas country 
was given up by both Spain and France, and for nearly a 
century more it lay almost forgotten. The next explora- 
tion of this territory was by people of another nation. 

The English. While the Spaniards were busy in the 
South and the French in the North, another people, the 
English, began to make explorations in the new continent. 
They did not come to hunt for gold, nor to trade with the 
Indians, but to found homes. They settled along the 
Atlantic coast between the French in Canada and the 
Spaniards in Florida, and claimed the country westward 
to the Pacific Ocean. 

Conflict of French and English Claims. As time went 
on and the settlements increased in number, the claims 
of the French and the English conflicted and caused 
much strife between the colonies of the two countries. 
The question of the ownership of the land was not settled 
until the close of the French and Indian War in 1763. 
As a result of this war France gave up all her claims in 
America, practically everything east of the Mississippi to 
England, and that west of it to Spain. In 1800 Spain 
ceded her portion of America back to France. 

The Louisiana Purchase, 1803. In the meantime the 
English colonies had fought the Revolutionary War and 
•become an independent nation. In 1803, when Thomas 
Jefferson was President, the United States bought from 
France her tract of country lying west of the Mississippi 
River. This was known as the Louisiana Purchase, and 
the date is one to be remembered, for it marks the end of 

—2 



18 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

French claims in America, and it marks the time when 
what is now Kansas became a part of the United States.^ 
One Century More. More than three centuries of 
American history had passed and the country west of the 
Mississippi River remained unsettled and practically un- 
known. The Spaniard and the Frenchman had come and 
gone, but the Indian still hunted the buffalo on the prairies. 
The white man had not yet made his home in the Kansas 
country. 

SUMMARY 

Spain explored in the South in search of wealth, France 
in the North to trade in furs with the Indians, and Eng- 
land along the coast between these two to establish homes. 
Spain claimed the Kansas country because of the explora- 
tion by Coronado, France through the claims of Marquette 
and La Salle, and England through the ocean-to-ocean 
claim. None of the nations succeeded in accomplishing 
anything here, and the Kansas country was left alone for 
nearly a century after it came into the possession of France, 
At the close of the French and Indian War the country 
west of the Mississippi was ceded to Spain. Later it came 
again into the hands of France, and was purchased by the 
United States in 1803. 

REFERENCES 

Elson, History of the United States, pp. 161, 384. 

Fiske, Discovery of America, vol. li, chap. xil. 

Foster, A History of the United States. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 24-40. 

Parkman, La Salle and the Great West. 

Spring, Kansas, pp. 19-20. 

Historical Collections, vol. IX, p. 250; vol. X, p. 336. 

Wilder, Annals of Kansas, pp. 15-18. 

1. In 1819 the United States gave to Spain that part of Kansas 
lying south of the Arkansas River and west of the 100th meridian. 
This territory again became a part of the United States by the 
annexation of Texas in 1845. 



KANSAS BECOMES PART OF UNITED STATES 19 

QUESTIONS 

1. Who were the Jesuits? What can you say of Marquette? 
Joliet? La Salle? 

2. Contrast the motives of the French and Spanish in coming 
to America. 

3. Why did the English come to the New World? 

4. Wliat territory was claimed by the French? By the Spanish? 
By the English? 

5. To what nations did what is now Kansas successively belong? 
How and when did it first become a part of the United States? How 
long was this after the discovery of America? 



CHAPTER III 

EXPLORATION OF THE KANSAS COUNTRY BY THE 
UNITED STATES 

President Jefiferson Sent Explorers. When the United 
States bought Louisiana the country from the Mississippi 
River to the Pacific Ocean was a vast unknown area. 
President Jefferson was eager to learn something about 
the great West, and sent out several exploring parties. 

Lewis and Clark. The first expedition, sent in 1804, 
the year following the purchase of Louisiana, was in charge 
of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were in- 
structed to move up the Missouri River and on to the 
Pacific Ocean. After a difficult journey lasting two and a 
half years the party returned to St. Louis and brought to 
the people of the United States much important infor- 
mation concerning the West. It is the part of their journey 
along the border of what is now Kansas in which we are 
most interested. 

The Journey. With about forty-five men and three 
boats Lewis and Clark started up the Missouri River in 
the spring of 1804. Two horsemen rode along the bank to 
hunt and bring in game, which was to go far toward sup- 
plying provisions for the expedition. After a five weeks ' 
journey they reached the mouth of the Kansas River, and 
encamped that night on the present site of Kansas City, 
Kansas. From there they continued up the Missouri 
River where it forms the present boundary line of Kansas, 
along the border of what has since become Leavenworth, 
Atchison, and Doniphan counties. Their account of the 
journey describes the country through which they passed 
and the different Indian tribes and villages they saw. It 
speaks of an Indian tribe as "hunting on the plains for 

(20) 



EXPLORATION OF THE KANSAS COUNTRY 21 

buffalo which our hunters have seen for the first time." 
Again we read, "Pecan trees were this day seen, and large 
quantities of deer and wild turkey." By July 4 they had 
reached a point not far from the present city of Atchison. 
They did not have the means for much of a celebration, 
but their observance of the day included the firing of 
"an evening gun" and the naming of two streams. Fourth 
of July Creek, and Independence Creek. Independence 
Creek still retains its name. A week later they passed the 
fortieth parallel, which afterward became the northern 
boundary of Kansas, and continued on their way to the 
Pacific. 

Pike's Expedition. In 1806 another exploring party 
was sent out in command of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, 
a young lieutenant in the army. He was instructed to 
ascend the Missouri River, visit the various Indian tribes 
in the Kansas country, go west until the frontier of New 
Mexico was reached, then south toward the source of the 
Red River which he was to descend to the Mississippi, 
and thence to St. Louis, the starting point. The journey 
did not, however, follow just this route. 

Pike Visits the Osage Indians. The Osage Indians 
lived in the eastern part of Kansas, south of the Kansas 
River. At their villages Pike purchased supplies for the 
overland journey. From there he went west and then 
northwest toward the Pawnee village which is believed to 
have been within the bounds of what is now Republic 
County. 

Pike Among the Pawnees. About the time he crossed 
the Solomon River he came upon the trail of Spanish 
troops. It seems that the authorities in Mexico had in 
some way heard of the Pike expedition and had sent an 
army of five hundred men to intercept him. These forces 
missed each other, but when Pike reached the village of 



22 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

the Pawnee Indians he found them in possession of many 
blankets, bridles, saddles, and other things which they 
had received from the Spaniards. After having been 
visited with much ceremony by the mounted and lordly 
army from Mexico, the Indians were not inclined to be 
courteous to Pike and his score of dusty, bedraggled foot- 
men. After much unpleasantness and delay a council 
attended by four hundred warriors was held. In his open- 
ing address Pike spoke, among other things, of the numer- 
ous Spanish flags in the village. Pointing to one which 
floated above the tent of the head chief, he demanded 
that it be lowered and that an American flag be put in its 
place. Several Indians made speeches without mentioning 
the flag. Pike again told them they must choose between 
the Spanish and the American governments. The Ameri- 
cans awaited the answer in anxious suspense. Finally an 
old chief arose. He slowly hauled down the Spanish flag, 
laid it at Pike's feet, and received the American flag in 
return. This he unfurled above the chief's tent, and for 
the first time, so far as is known, the Stars and Stripes 
floated over Kansas. 

Pike in Colorado. From this place Pike and his men 
moved southwest to the Arkansas River, where the party 
divided, some of them going down the river and on home. 
Pike and his remaining men, instead of searching for the 
Red River according to instructions, followed the Arkansas 
River into what is now Colorado. They pushed westward, 
and after many days of travel sighted a mountain, which 
appeared at first like a small blue cloud but which proved 
to be a great bald peak of the Rocky Mountains. This 
peak has since been named Pike's Peak in honor of the 
explorer. By this time it was winter and their supplies 
were low. Pike and his men suffered terribly from cold 
and hunger while wandering among the mountains. Hop- 



EXPLORATION OF THE KANSAS COUNTRY 



23 



ing to better their condition they moved toward the south- 
west, only to find themselves taken prisoners in Spanish 
territory. Later, however, they were escorted across Texas 
to the American frontier in Louisiana and released. 

The Return of Pike. A whole year had passed before 
they found themselves again in St. Louis, a year of hard- 
ship for them, but well worth while, nevertheless, for Pike 




The Expedition of Pike, and the Location of the Original Indian Tribes. 
There were no clearly defined boundaries between the tribes. 



brought back a great deal of valuable information. That 
he was a better soldier than farmer may be seen from this 
passage taken from his journal : 

"From these immense prairies may rise one great ad- 
vantage to the United States, viz., the restriction of our 
population to certain limits, and thereby a continuation 
of the union. Our citizens, being so prone to rambling 
and extending themselves on the frontiers, will, through 
necessity, be constrained to limit their extent on the west 
to the borders of the Missouri and the Mississippi, while 
they leave the prairies, incapable of cultivation, to the 
wandering aborigines of the country."^ 

1. Coues, Expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike. 



24 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



The Great American Desert. Another explorer, Major 
Long, who came in 1819 and 1820, Ukewise expressed the 
idea that most of the country was unfit for cultivation, 
and therefore uninhabitable by an agricultural people. 
He even went so far as to say the country bore a "resem- 
blance to the deserts of Siberia." Washington Irving, the 
great writer, said of this region: " It could be well named, 




An Indian Village. 
The tribes that lived in permanent homes built lodges consisting of an embank- 
ment of earth topped with a row of poles brought together at the center and thatched 
with bark and grass. 

the Great American Desert. It spreads forth into undu- 
lating and treeless plains and desolate sandy wastes, 
wearisome to the eye from their extent and monotony. 
It is a land where no man permanently abides, for at 
certain seasons of the year there is no food for the hunter 
or his steed." 

The views of these men largely molded public opinion 
concerning the West. The country out of which has been 
carved such prosperous agricultural states as Oklahoma, 



EXPLORATION OF THE KANSAS COUNTRY 



25 



Kansas, and Nebraska was, a hundred years ago, known 
as the "Great American Desert," and was so named on 
the maps of that time. 

Indian Tribes in Kansas. The western prairies had for 
untold ages been occupied by Indians. At the time of 
Pike's expedition there were four tribes living within the 
present bounds of Kansas. These were the Kanza, the 
Osage, the Pawnee, and the Comanche tribes. The Kanza, 
or Kaw, Indians lived in the northeastern part of the State 
and were the ones seen by 
Lewis and Clark in their 
expedition up the Missouri 
River. It is from this 
tribe that Kansas probably 
received its name. The 
Osage Indians were lo- 
cated in the eastern part, 
south of the Kansas River. 
The Pawnee tribe lived 
north and west of the 
Kanza Indians. It was in 
the Osage village that Pike 
secured supplies for his 
journey, and in the Pawnee 
village that he caused the 
Spanish flag to be lowered. 
The Pawnees were once called the Quiviras. The first of 
their tribe that we know anything about was "Turk," 
who led Coronado into the wilderness. These three tribes 
lived in permanent homes and had their tribal villages, 
but the fourth tribe were wanderers. They were the 
Comanches, sometimes called the Padoucas, and they 
roved over the western part of Kansas and adjacent 
territory, hunting buffaloes and following the herds as 




Interior of an Indian Lodge. 



26 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

they grazed from place to place. They were fine horsemen, 
and brave, but very fierce and warlike. 

The Kansas of a Century Ago. This was the Kansas of 
a century ago. At that time it had received neither name 
nor boundaries. For the first fifty years that this region 
was a part of the United States, that is, from the purchase 
of Louisiana until Kansas was organized as a territory in 
1854, the country was little used by the white people except 
as a pathway to the West. 

SUMMARY 

President Jefferson, wishing to learn something of the 
unknown western country, sent out two exploring ex- 
peditions. The first, in 1804, was in charge of Lewis and 
Clark, who were to follow the Missouri River and to go 
on across the mountains until they reached the Pacific 
coast. They passed along the northeast border of Kansas. 
The next exploring party was in command of Pike. His 
route was somewhat in the form of a circle. Beginning 
at St. Louis it was to pass through Kansas, then south, 
then east, and up the Mississippi to St. Louis. He visited 
the Osage Indians in eastern Kansas, the Pawnee Indians 
in northern Kansas where he raised the American flag, 
and then marched into Colorado where he discovered 
Pike's Peak. From Colorado he went into what is now 
New Mexico, where he was taken prisoner by the Span- 
iards. They took him nearly to the Mississippi River and 
released him. On his return he reported this country as 
unfit for settlement, and his opinion was shared by later 
explorers. At the time of Pike's expedition there were 
four tribes of Indians in Kansas, the Osages, the Kanzas, 
the Pawnees, and the Comanches. 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 31-41. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 49-53. 
Coues, Expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike. 
Blackmar, Kansas, vol. ll. 

Historical Collections, vol. ix, p. 574; vol. vii, pp. 261-317; vol. 
VI, p. 325; vol. X, pp. 15-159. 



EXPLORATION OF THE KANSAS COUNTRY 27 

QUESTIONS 

1. What was known of the Louisiana Purchase at the time it 
was acquired by the United States? 

2. Who were Lewis and Clark? Give an account of their expedi- 
tion as it related to Kansas. 

3. What route was Pike instructed to take? 

4. Describe Pike's visit to the Osages. His visit to the Pawnees. 
By what other name do we know the Pawnees? 

5. Give an account of the remainder of Pike's journey. 

6. What was Pike's opinion of the Kansas country? Long's 
opinion? Washington Irving's opinion? 

7. How much of Kansas did the Louisiana Purchase include? 

8. What Indian tribes lived within the present bounds of Kan- 
sas? Locate and tell something of each. 

9. When was Kansas Territory organized? How long was this 
after the Louisiana purchase? 

10. What use did the white people make of Kansas during this 
period? 



CHAPTER IV 

KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 

Mexico a Century Ago. Nearly three centuries passed 
from the time Cortez led the Spaniards into Mexico until 
Kansas became a part of the United States. During those 
years Spanish settlements had increased in number until 
at the time of Pike's expedition Mexico included most of 
what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New 
Mexico, and Colorado. 

Old Santa Fe. Santa Fe, said to be the second oldest 
city in the United States, was the most important point 
on the northern frontier of Mexico. In those days it was 
not like the busy American Santa Fe of to-day. It had 
about two thousand inhabitants, practically all Spaniards, 
and they lived in little adobe houses arranged around a 
public square after the manner of Spanish cities. 

Origin of the Santa Fe Trail. The "Great American 
Desert" lay between Santa Fe and the settlements of the 
western border of the United States. But Captain Pike's 
interesting descriptions of the wealth and resources of the 
Spanish country stirred up enthusiasm, and Americans 
began to make their way across the plains to trade with 
the Spaniards. Santa Fe soon became an important trad- 
ing point for all of northeastern Mexico. The traders, on 
their journeys to the Spanish city, wore a pathway that 
crossed the length of Kansas. This pathway came to be 
called the "Santa Fe Trail." 

Captain Becknell the First Trader Although a few 
earlier trips were made, the trade with Santa Fe really 
began in the year 1822 with the journey of Captain Beck- 
nell, of Missouri. He had started out the year before to 
trade with the Indians, and had gone on with a party of 

(29) 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 31 

Mexican rangers to Santa Fe where he sold his small supply 
of merchandise so profitably that he decided to try again 
on a larger scale. In 1822 he took about thirty men and 
five thousand dollars' worth of merchandise. His success 
encouraged others, and a regular trade with Santa Fe was 
soon established. 

Merchandise Carried on Pack Mules. For several years 
most of the transportation along the Trail was done with 
pack mules. A caravan of pack mules usually numbered 
from fifty to two hundred, each animal carrying about 
three hundred pounds of merchandise. From the earliest 
times the Mexicans had used pack mules as a means of 
transportation, and were skilled in handling them. For 
this reason the American traders usually employed Mexi- 
cans for the work of the pack train. The average rate of 
travel of a mule train was from twelve to fifteen miles a 
day. Since the Trail was nearly eight hundred miles long, 
fifty to sixty days were required for the trip. 

Wagons Used on the Trail. Probably the first time 
that wagons were used was in 1824, when a company of 
traders left Missouri with twenty-five wagons and a train 
of pack mules. This experiment was so satisfactory that 
the use of wagons soon became general and mules were 
used less and less as pack animals. 

The Traders and the Indians. Travel over the Santa 
Fe Trail rapidly increased, and the history of those days 
is filled with stories of exciting adventure, of danger, of 
privation, and of deeds of courage. The source of greatest 
danger and excitement was the Indians, for they did not 
take kindly to the white men's use of their hunting grounds. 
For several years the traders crossed the plains in small 
parties, each man taking only two or three hundred dollars' 
worth of goods, and they were seldom molested. But peace 
did not last long. The Indians soon learned more about 



32 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

the journeys of the traders and how to estimate the value 
of their stock. Also, many of the traders considered every 
Indian a deadly enemy and killed all that fell into their 
power simply because some wrong was known to have 
been committed by Indians. This treatment tended to 
stir up the hatred of the red men and to make them watch 
every opportunity for revenge. 

An example of the enmity between the Indians and the 
traders may be seen in an occurrence of 1828. Two young 
men went to sleep on the bank of a stream a short distance 
from their caravan, and were fatally shot, it was supposed, 
with their own guns. When their comrades found them 
one was dead, and the other died by the time the caravan 
reached the Cimarron River, about forty miles farther on. 
During the simple burial ceremonies a party of six or 
seven Indians appeared on the other side of the river. It 
is probable that these Indians knew nothing of the crime 
committed or they would not have approached the white 
men. Some of the men took this view, but, against their 
advice, the others fired and killed all of the Indians but 
one, who escaped to carry the news to his tribe. The 
Indians of the wr rged tribe then followed the caravan 
to the Ai'kansas River where they robbed the traders of 
nearly a thousand head of horses and mules. Other rob- 
beries and murders followed until it became necessary for 
the traders to petition the National Government for troops. 
The next year soldiers escorted the caravan nearly to the 
Cimarron River. Government protection was furnished 
again in 1834, and in 1843. In the other years the traders 
fought their own way, but the day of small parties was 
over. For mutual protection, the traders banded together. 
A single big caravan started out each spring as soon as 
the grass was sufficient to pasture their animals, and re- 
turned in the fall. 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 33 

The Starting Point of the Traders. For many years the 
city of Franklin, on the Missouri River, was the starting 
point of the traders, the place where they purchased their 
goods and their outfits. Later, Independence, Missouri, 
and finally Westport which is now a part of Kansas City, 
became the emporium of the Santa Fe trade. The tourists 
and traders began to gather about the first of May for the 
journey that would begin near the middle of that month. 

Supplies Taken. The ordinary supplies to be taken for 
each man were about fifty pounds of flour, fifty pounds of 
bacon, ten pounds of coffee, twenty pounds each of sugar, 
rice, and beans, and a little salt. An>i:hing else was con- 
sidered an unnecessary luxury and was seldom taken. 
The buffalo furnished fresh meat for the travelers. 

Teams and Wagons. After the first few years horses 
were little used on the Trail except for riding. A wagon 
was usually drawn by eight mules or oxen, though some of 
the larger ones required ten or twelve. The large wagons 
often carried as much as five thousand pounds of merchan- 
dise and supplies. The loading of the wagons for a journey 
of nearly eight hundred miles was a very particular piece 
of work. 

Council Grove the Meeting Place. Although the trad- 
ers banded together in one big caravan, they did not all 
start from the same place nor at the same time. The 
Kanza and Osage Indians seldom committed worse deeds 
than petty thievery, and the more warlike Comanches and 
Pawnees did not often appear along the first two hundred 
miles of the Trail. The place where all the wagons 
united to form a caravan was Council Grove, a point 
about one hundi'ed and fifty miles west of Independence. 
In those days Council Grove consisted of a strip of fine 
timber along the Neosho valley. It is said to have been 
named in 1825 by the United States Commissioners who 

—3 



34 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



met on this spot some Osage Indians, with whom they 
made a treaty for the right of way for the Santa Fe Trail. 

About 1850 a black- 
smith shop and two or 
three traders' stores 
were established at 
Council Grove and this 
place became "the last 
chance for supplies" for 
westbound travelers. 

Journeys of Gregg. 
We can not get an idea 
of those days in a bet- 
ter way, perhaps, than 
by following an account 
of one of the caravans. 
Josiah Gregg, who 
crossed the prairie eight 
times, has left a very 
interesting record of his 
experiences. Many of 
the following facts are 
taken from his account 
of the journey of 1831. 
Organization of the 
Caravan. For this par- 
ticular trip there were two hundred men and nearly a 
hundred wagons, with a dozen smaller vehicles, and two 
carriages carrying cannon. The total value of the mer- 
chandise was about $200,000. For so large an undertaking 
it was, of course, necessary to have some kind of organi- 
zation. According to custom, therefore, they elected 
officers and adopted a set of rules. The head man was the 
"Captain of the Caravan," who directed the order of 




Coukcjl Oak, 
Under which the Commissioners and Indians 
met at Council Grove to make their treaty. It 
is still standing. A Santa Fe marker has been 
placed beneath its branches. 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 



35 



travel, selected the camping grounds, and performed many 
other duties of a general nature. The wagons were 
divided into four groups, each group under the charge of a 
lieutenant, who selected crossings and superintended the 
"forming" of the camp. The men were well armed with 
rifles, shotguns, and an abundant supply of pistols and 
knives. 

The Starting of the Caravan. When the time came to 
start from Council Grove the command "Catch ud! 





Crossing the Plains. 

Catch up!" sounded by the captain and passed on to all 
the groups, started a scene of hurry and uproar as the 
teamsters vied with each other to be first to shout "All's 
set!" After a period of shouting at animals, the clanking 
of chains, and the rattling of harness and yokes, all were 
ready. The command "Stretch out!" was given, and the 
line of march began. 

The Country West of Council Grove. Council Grove 
seemed to form the western boundary of the very rich, 
fertile, and well timbered country. From here westward 
the streams were lined with but little timber growth, and 



36 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



much of that was cotton wood. The country was mostly 
prairie, with the vegetation gradually becoming more 
scarce. The traders usually lashed under their wagons a 
supply of logs for needed repairs, for Council Grove fur- 
nished the last good wood they would pass. Westward 
from Council Grove not a single human habitation, not 
even an Indian settlement, was to be seen along the whole 
route. It is difficult to imagine such a condition in Kansas 
only eighty years ago. 




North American Bison, Commonly Called Buffaloes. 
They were described by Cabeza de Vaca as "crooked-backed oxen." 

Buffaloes Sighted. Soon after leaving Council Grove 
the traders began watching for buffaloes, and when a small 
herd was sighted it created much excitement. About half 
the men had never seen these animals before. All the 
horsemen rushed toward the herd, and some of the drivers 
even left their teams and followed on foot. 

Pawnee Rock. After a few more days of travel, during 
which nothing more serious happened than a few false 
alarms of Indians, they reached the Arkansas River. 
Another day's travel over a level plain brought them in 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 



37 




Pawnee Rcck. 



sight of Pawnee Rock, a great rock standing on the plains 
near the Big Bend of the Arkansas, and a landmark 
known from one end of the Trail to the other. The sur- 
rounding country was not 
occupied by any tribe of In- 
dians, but was claimed by all 
of them as a hunting ground, 
for it was a fine pasture for 
buffaloes. For many years it 
had been the scene of bloody 
battles between different 
tribes. The Rock afforded an 
excellent hiding place and re- 
treat. Since the old Trail 
passed within a few yards of it, 
this became a dreaded spot 
for the traders, for at this point 
they seldom escaped a skirmish with the Indians. The 
Rock probably received its name from some of the bloody 
deeds of the Pawnees, who were especially connected with 
these scenes. 

Forming Camp. When the caravan camped at Ash 
Creek the traders found a few old moccasins scattered 
around and some camp fires still burning, which seemed to 
indicate the near presence of Indians. They had, up to 
this point, marched in two columns, but after crossing 
Pawnee Fork they formed four lines for better protection 
in case of attack. In camp the wagons were arranged in 
the form of a hollow square, each line forming a side. 
This provided an enclosure for the animals when needed, 
and a fortification against the Indians. Ordinarily the 
camp fires were lighted outside the square, the men slept 
on the ground there, and the animals were picketed near. 



38 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

The Caches. The next important stopping place was 
The Caches, near the present site of Fort Dodge. All that 
marked this spot from the surrounding country was a 
group of pits in the ground. A number of years before, a 
small party of traders had attempted to go to Santa Fe 
in the fall. By the time they reached the Arkansas River 
a heavy snowstorm forced them to take shelter on a large 
island, where they were kept for three months by the 
severe winter. During this time most of their animals 
perished. When spring came, having no way to carry their 
goods, they made some caches, ^ where they stored their 
merchandise until they could bring mules to haul it to 
Santa Fe. 

The Trail Divided into Two Routes. At Cimarron Cross- 
ing the Trail divided, and did not reunite until within a 
few miles of Santa Fe. The southern route was shorter, 
but it meant crossing fifty miles of desert before reaching 
the Cimarron River. In all that stretch of level plain 
there was no trail, nor landmark, nor stream of water. 
Travelers sometimes lost their way in this desert, and un- 
less they ha-d prepared for this part of the journey by tak- 
ing along a sufficient supply of water, they perished of 
thirst. 

An Experience with Indians. This caravan decided to 
take the southern route. A band of Indians soon ap- 
peared, carrying an American flag as a token of peace. 
They talked with the traders by means of signs and told 
them there were immense numbers of Indians ahead. A 
little later a band of warriors appeared and threatened to 

1. A cache was made by digging a jug-shaped hole in the ground 
and lining it with dry grass, or sticks, or anything to keep out mois- 
ture. Then the goods were packed in and the opening closed very 
carefully by replacing the sod and carrying away the earth that was 
removed, so that no sign was left by which the cache might be dis- 
covered. Sometimes a camp fire was built over it to destroy all 
traces of the cache. 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 39 

fight. There was great excitement as the caravan prepared 
for battle and the Indians continued to pour over the hills. 
But there was no fighting, for the chief came forward with 
his "peace pipe," from which the captain took a whiff. 
The warriors were ordered back to rejoin the long train of 
squaws and papooses who were following with the baggage. 
There were probably three thousand Indians in this party, 
and they moved down into the valley and pitched their 
wigwams. The traders felt sure that since the women and 
children were along the Indians would not be hostile, and 
they, therefore, formed their camp a few hundred yards 
away. The Indians gathered around to gaze at the wagons, 
for it was probably the first time most of them had ever 
seen such vehicles. Some of them followed to the next 
camp, and the next day a large number of them gathered 
around the caravan. This sort of thing continued until 
the traders made up a present of fifty or sixty dollars' 
worth of goods to "seal the treaty of peace." 

Their First News. Some days later the caravan met a 
Mexican buffalo hunter. He told the traders the news 
from Santa Fe, the first they had heard since the return of 
the caravan of the year before. To-day Kansas City and 
Santa Fe are little more than twenty-four hours apart by 
rail, and we read the latest news from both places in the 
morning and evening papers. 

Round Mound. Round Mound, standing nearly a 
thousand feet above the level of the surrounding plain, in 
what is now New Mexico, was one of the landmarks along 
the Trail. At that point the caravan had completed about 
three-fourths of the journey to Santa Fe. As they ap- 
proached the Mound some of the party decided to ascend 
it. They felt certain that it could not be more than half a 
mile away, but they had to go fully three miles before 
reaching it. This remarkable deception in distance is 



40 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

characteristic of the West.^ Nothing of particular note 
occurred from Round Mound to the end of the journey. 

Arrival at Santa Fe. The arrival of the caraSran at 
Santa Fe was a source of excitement for both the traders 
and the city and was celebrated with much festivity. The 
traders had entered what was in those days a foreign 
country and had to pay duties on their goods at the custom 
house. Then came the business of selling these goods to 
those who had come in from the surrounding country to 
buy, after which the traders, or freighters as they were 
often called, prepared for the long return journey, planning 
to finish the round trip before the winter began. This was 
but one of many trips made over the Santa Fe Trail. 

Travel Across Kansas During the '40's. There was a 
war between the United States and Mexico in 1846-'48. 
The trouble between the two countries checked the Santa 
Fe trade between the years 1843 and 1850, but even under 
those circumstances there was much travel across Kansas 

1. Another phenomenon that makes the traveler in a dry or 
desert country afraid to trust his eyes is the mirage. He often sees 
what seem to be lakes, trees, buildings, cities, only to find on nearer 
approach that they all disappear. As Kansas has come under culti- 
vation the mirage has become less frequent, but it is still seen in the 
western part of the State. Here is a description of one seen in early 
Kansas: 

"On approaching the town of Lerny, about a mile an-d a quarter 
this side, we found the whole intermediate space between us and the 
grove of trees beyond the town apparently occupied by a beautiful 
lake. On the apparent shore next to ourselves the road ran down 
and disappeared in the lake, as did the fence upon one side of the 
road, while the placid and beautiful water extended upon the right 
and left, until lost in the distance. The trees in the distance ap- 
peared to be immersed for half their length in the lake, as if growing 
in the water. Even the reflection of the trees, and of the clouds 
above, was distinctly visible. We approached the vision and it 
vanished." 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 41 

during the '40's.i There were four principal classes of 
travelers: soldiers, emigrants to Oregon, Mormons, and 
California gold seekers. 

The Soldiers. The war with Mexico broke out in 1846, 
and many of the United States soldiers were sent to that 
country by way of the Santa Fe Trail. This increased the 
travel across the prairies. 

The Oregon Settlers. The remote unsettled region in 
the Northwest, known as Oregon, was soon to become the 
home of civilized people. In 1842 wagon trains of emi- 
gi'ants began to undertake the long and weary journey to 
that far-off country. Others soon followed, and during 
the next few years many thousands of people settled in 
the Oregon country. 

The Mormons. In those days the Mormon Church had 
not been long established, but their beliefs had brought 
the Mormons into trouble with the people around them 
and with the Government, and they had been forced to 
move several times. The last time was in 1845, when they 
left Nauvoo, Illinois, and began the long and perilous 
journey to the valley of Great Salt Lake, in which region 
the main body of them remains to-day. 

The "Forty-niners." In 1848 a man named James 
Marshall, who was running a sawmill near the present site 
of Sacramento, California, discovered shining particles of 
gold in the mill race, and it was soon found that there were 
rich gold fields in that part of the country. The news 
spread, not rapidly as it would to-day, for there were no 
railroad or telegraph lines west of the Mississippi River 

1. Because of the increasing migration westward, the National 
Government decided to send out expeditions for the purpose of dis- 
covering the best routes across the mountains to the Pacific. John 
C. Fremont was selected for this task, and between 1842 and 1850 
he made four journeys across the plains. Among the scouts who 
acted as guides was the famous hunter and trapper, and Indian 
fighter, Kit Carson. 



42 A HISTORY OP KANSAS 

and only a few east of it, but within a short time the whole 
country and even Europe had heard of the California gold 
fields, and people from all parts of the world began to 
make their way to the Pacific coast. Some went by water 
but more of them made the journey overland. Long lines 
of wagons, or prairie schooners as they were called, wound 
their way across the plains and over the mountains to 
California. It is estimated that ninety thousand people 
passed through Kansas on their way to California during 
the two years 1848 and 1849, a few of them to gain wealth, 
but thousands to be disappointed, and many to perish on 
the way. 

The Oregon Trail. The Oregon settlers, the Mormons, 
and the gold seekers entered Kansas at or near Atchison, 
Leavenworth, St. Joseph, or Westport, and moved toward 
the northwest, crossed the border into Nebraska, and went 
on across the mountains. The road worn by this west- 
ward-moving stream of emigrants was known as the 
Oregon Trail, though it was sometimes called the Mormon 
Trail, and more often the California Road. For two 
thousand miles the Oregon Trail stretched away through 
an utter wilderness, and every mile of it came to be the 
scene of hardship and suffering, of battle, or of death. 
It was one of the most remarkable highways in history. 
It had several branches, and in many places it followed 
different routes at different times. The largest number 
of travelers over this Trail entered Kansas at Westport 
and followed for a short distance the Santa Fe Trail. 
Near the present town of Gardner stood a signboard on 
which were the words, "Road to Oregon." At this point 
the two historic highways divided. It has been said that, 
"never before nor since has so simple an announcement 
pointed the way to so long and hard a journey." 



KANSAS AS A PATHWAY 43 

SUMMARY 

The Santa Fe Trail was a great road about 775 miles 
long, beginning successively at the Missouri towns, Frank- 
lin, Independence, and Westport, and extending westward 
to Santa Fe. Four hundred miles of its length were in 
Kansas. Travel began in 1822 for the purpose of trading 
with Mexico. The first merchandise was carried on pack 
mules, but wagons began to be used in 1824. The traders 
experienced much trouble with the Indians, and in 1829 
they began going together in big caravans for protection. 
The gathering place was Council Grove, where they 
organized and started. A few of the well-known sites 
along the Trail were Pawnee Rock, Ash Creek, Pawnee 
Fork, and The Caches. At Cimarron Crossing the Trail 
divided. The northern branch followed the Arkansas and 
crossed the mountains over practically the same route as 
that followed by the Santa Fe Railway to-day. The 
southern branch was the cut-off across the desert. An- 
other historic highway was the Oregon Trail, sometimes 
called the Mormon Trail and sometimes the Cahfornia 
Road. This Trail crossed the northeast corner of Kansas. 

REFERENCES 

Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail. 
Parrish, The Great Plains. 

Pamphlet by Historical Society, Santa Fe Trail. 
Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 42-49. 
Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies. 
Blackmar, Kansas, vol. ii, p. 645. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, p. 54. 

Historical Collections, vol. vill, p. 137; vol. ix, p. 552; vol. xil, 
pp. 253-269. 

Hunt, California the Golden. 

Aplington, Pilgrims of the Plains. (A novel.) 

QUESTIONS 

1. What part of the United States did Mexico own a hundred 
years ago? 

2. Describe the city of Santa Fe. How did trade first begin 
with Santa Fe? 

3. Tell about the journey of Captain Becknell. 



44 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

4. Discuss the use of pack mules on the Trail. When were 
wagons first used? 

5. What was the attitude of the Indians and the traders toward 
each other? 

6. What places were in turn the starting point of the traders? 

7. What supplies were usually taken? 

8. How did Council Grove get its name? Of what importance 
was the place? 

9. Who was Josiah Gregg? 

10. Describe the organization of the caravan. The starting. 

11. What occurred when buffaloes were sighted? 

12. What is told of Pawnee Rock? 

13. How was camp formed at Ash Creek? 

14. Describe The Caches. How did this place receive its name? 

15. Where did the Trail divide? Describe each route. 

16. What experience did the travelers have with the Indians? 

17. Explain the occurrence at Round Mound. 

18. Describe the arrival of the caravan at Santa Fe. 

19. Discuss the Santa Fe trade during the '40's. 

20. Name the classes of travelers who crossed Kansas in the '40's, 
and give an account of each. 

21. Name and describe the trail made by these travelers. 



CHAPTER V 

KANSAS AS AN INDIAN COUNTRY 

Kansas Belonged to the Indians. During the years 
when the white men were travehng back and forth across 
Kansas they were not making settlements here. The 
country remained in the undisputed possession of the 
Indians. The white men did not want it as yet. They 
looked upon these vast prairies, not as a resource, but as 
so much land to be crossed in reaching places farther west. 
But changing conditions in the states east of the Missis- 
sippi River made people begin to look upon Kansas in a 
different light. The country there was becoming thickly 
settled and the people wanted the lands of the eastern 
Indians. 

Removal of Eastern Indians to Kansas. Soon after the 
Louisiana purchase was made people began to talk of an 
Indian reserve, of a state set aside for the Indians, and it 
was believed that these western prairies would be useful 
for such a purpose. Nothing definite was done, however, 
until 1825, when the National Government began the 
"removal policy." The eastern part of Kansas was oc- 
cupied by two tribes of Indians, the Kanzas, or Kaws as 
they are often called, north of the Kansas River, and the 
Osages south of it. In 1825 the National Government 
made treaties with these two tribes. Under the provisions 
of these treaties each tribe retained only a small part of its 
territory, the rest being ceded to the Government. In 
return, the Indians were to receive certain annual pay- 
ments and were to be supplied with cattle, hogs, and 
farming implements. The Government was also to pro- 
vide them with blacksmiths and with teachers of agri- 
culture. With these two tribes restricted to their 

(45) 



46 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




An Indian in War Drkss. 



reservations, a large part of eastern Kansas was left to be 
apportioned into reservations for Indians from the East. 
In 1830 Congress passed an 
act setting aside an Indian 
country, which included east- 
ern Kansas. Then the re- 
moval policy was carried out. 
Under this arrangement the 
Government made treaties 
with the various eastern tribes 
by which they gave up their 
lands in exchange for certain 
tracts in the Indian country. 
The Shawnees had come in 
1825, and during the ten or 
twelve years following 1830 
about seventeen tribes were located on reservations in 
Kansas. Among these were the lowas, Sacs and Foxes, 
Kickapoos, Delawares, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Wyan- 
dottes, and Miamis. By 1850 there was not a tribe left 
east of the Mississippi River. The Indians had all been 
moved to these western plains, and no white man could 
settle on any of the reservations without the consent of 
the Indians. 

Indians Removed from Kansas. According to the 
treaties the Indians were promised their land "so long as 
grass should grow or water run." But it soon developed 
that the white men wanted Kansas also. In 1854 we find 
the tribes being again transferred, this time to the Indian 
Territory, now Oklahoma, where the remnants of the 
various tribes still remain.^ 

1. The fact that Kansas was once an Indian country is shown 
by the many Indian names of counties, towns, and streams; as, 
Topeka, Pottawatomie, Hiawatha, Wyandotte, Shawnee, Cheyenne, 
Cherokee, and Kiowa. 



KANSAS AS AN INDIAN COUNTRY 



47 



Although Kansas was not used during those early years 
to make homes for white settlers, a few hundred people 
came here. They were of three different classes; fur trad- 
ers, missionaries, and soldiers. 



OrOES AND MiSSOuRlS 




Indian Reservations in Kansas. 

The Fur Traders. It is impossible to say when the first 
hunters and trappers came to these western plains, for 
they were generally obscure men and little was known of 
their comings and goings, but they were the real path- 
finders of the West. There are records of fur traders here 
in the very early years of the nineteenth century, and they 
gradually went farther and farther into the vast wilder- 
ness. The streams of travel across Kansas in the '40's 
followed paths that had been pointed out by the fur 
traders. 

The fur companies established many trading posts, 
which served as forts for protection against the Indians 
and as places to which hunters and trappers could bring 



48 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



their furs. Some of the hunters and trappers were em- 
ployed by the fur companies, and others worked inde- 
pendently. 

Many Indians also engaged in this trade, and often 

they were given 
tobacco, whisky, 
and weapons in ex- 
change for their furs. 
In this way much of 
the work of the mis- 
sionaries was un- 
done. In the earlier 
years the hunters 
and trappers found 
many kinds of wild 
animals in Kansas: 
the buffalo, the wolf, 
the fox, the deer, 
the elk, and the an- 
telope, and along 
the streams the 
beaver, the otter, 
the mink, and the 
m u s k r a t. Later 
the main supply of 
furs came from the mountains, and the whole fur trade 
gradually moved west of what is now Kansas. 

Father Padilla, the First Missionary in Kansas. The 
attempt to civilize the Indian began in the days of the 
early explorers, and it was on' Kansas soil that the first 
missionary's life was lost in the cause. This man was 
Father Padilla, a Jesuit, who came with Coronado on his 
journey to Quivira. Father Padilla became much inter- 
ested in the Quivira Indians and remained to do missionary 




The Indian Tepee, 
Made of poles and buffalo hides, was the only home 
of the wandering tribes, and was used by the other 
tribes when on hunting trips. 



KANSAS AS AN INDIAN COUNTRY 49 

work among them. His preaching was of short duration, 
however, for he was soon killed, whether by the Quiviras 
or some other tribe is not known. 

Kansas Missionaries of the Nineteenth Century. Cen- 
turies later, when Kansas became a part of the United 
States and was explored and traversed by white men, 
missionaries were among the first to arrive. They came 
to instruct the Indians in the Christian religion and to 
persuade them to adopt the customs of civilization. 

Of the many who came, Rev. Isaac McCoy probably 
deserves first mention. He had spent many years in work 
among the Indians and strongly urged the removal policy. 
He believed that if they could live in a separate state, 
free from contact with the white race, the Indians could 
be civilized, and he gave his life to this work. 

Jotham Meeker and his wife were among the most 
devoted of the missionaries, but there were many others, 
both men and women, who placed the welfare of human 
beings above mere gain and who endured the hardships 
of life among the savages for the sake of the good they 
might do. 

Missions Established. As soon as the eastern Indians 
were removed to Kansas a number of missions were estab- 
lished by Baptist, Methodist, Presb^'terian, Friends, and 
Catholic churches. The work of the missionaries was not 
confined to religious instruction. Schools were estab- 
lished,^ books were printed, the Indian girls were taught 
cooking and sewing, and the boys were taught farming 
and such trades as blacksmithing and carpentry. 

The most noted mission in Kansas was the one estab- 

1. Among the schools established by the missions three have 
continued in existence and have developed into important schools 
of to-day: Highland College, established by the Presbyterians; 
St. Mary's College, by the Catholics; and Ottawa University, by 
the Baptists. 



50 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



lished by the Methodist Church for the Shawnee Indians 
near the present site of Kansas City. This mission was 
opened in 1830 and continued its work for more than a 
quarter of a century. It had a large tract of land and good 




Shawnee Mission as First Built in 1830. 
In 1839 a new location was selected and fine new buildings constructed. 

buildings, and maintained a successful school. Rev. 
Thomas Johnson, who took a prominent part in early 
Kansas affairs, was in charge of the mission. 

The Soldiers. The third class of people who came to 
early Kansas was the soldiers. Their presence was 
necessary for the protection of the few white people 
against the Indians. Fort Leavenworth was established 
by the National Government in 1827, as headquarters 
for the troops. This was shortly after the beginning of 
the Santa Fe trade. During the '40's this fort was used 
as a base of supplies for the soldiers of the Mexican War, 



KANSAS AS AN INDIAN COUNTRY 



51 




Pawnee Flats at Fort Rii.ey. 
Near the center of the view is the old Pawnee Capitol 




Pontoon Bridge at Fokt Rilbv. 



52 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




Above is the Old Wall at Fort Leavenworth. This wall is all that remains of the 
original Fort. The lower picture is of the Main Parade at Fort Leavenworth at the 
present time. 

and as an outfitting point for many of the California gold 
seekers and Mormon emigrants. Fort Leavenworth is 
to-day one of the most important of the national forts. 
A number of other forts were established, among them 
Fort Riley, Fort Dodge, Fort Scott, and Fort Hays, but 
all of these have been abandoned except Fort Riley. 

Population of Pre-territorial Kansas. Kansas remained 
in possession of the Indians until 1854, when it was organ- 
ized into a territory. With this date a new era began. 



KANSAS AS AN INDIAN COUNTRY ■ 53 

At this time the white population consisted of about 
twelve hundred people, one half of them soldiers and the 
other half connected with the trading posts and the mis- 
sions. 

SUMMARY 

When the country that is now Kansas became a part ot 
the United States it was occupied by four tribes of Indians. 
In 1825 the Kanza and Osage tribes ceded a large part of 
their lands to the Government and the eastern quarter of 
the State was made a part of the Indian country by the 
Act of 1830. Following this a number of eastern tribes 
were removed to reservations in Kansas, where they re- 
mained until Kansas was organized as a territory, in 1854, 
when they were moved to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. 
During these years there was much travel through the 
State, but up to 1854 the white population numbered only 
about twelve hundred. These people were of three classes; 
traders, missionaries, and soldiers. 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 50-64. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 58-74. 
Gihon, Geary and Kansas, chap. ll. 
Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail. 
Elson, History of the United States, chap. ll. 
Kansas Historical Collections, vol. vin, pp. 72, 171, 206, 250; 
vol. IX, p. 565; vol. x, p. 327; vol. xi, p. 333; vol. Xll, pp. 65, 183. 
Holloway, History of Kansas, chap. vni. 
Blackmar, Kansas, vol. I, pp. 655-703; vol. li, p. 291. 

QUESTIONS 

1. What use did the white people make of Kansas during the 
first half of the nineteenth century? 

2. How did the condition of the Indians here differ from that of 
the Indians in the East? 



54 • A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

3. What was the removal policy? Name some of the Indian 
tribes brought here. What promise was made them? 

4. Name the three classes of white people who came to Kansas 
during this period. 

5. Who was Father Padilla? Name some of the missionaries. 
What work did they do? 

6. Tell of the fur traders and their relations with the Indians. 

7. Why were the soldiers here? 

8. When did Kansas cease to be an Indian country? 



CHAPTER VI 

KANSAS ORGANIZED AS A TERRITORY 

The Year 1854 an Important Date. The year 1854 is an 
important one in the history of Kansas, for it brings to a 
close the period during which this region was used as a 
hunting ground by the Indians and marks the beginning 
of its use as a home for white people. The white settlers 
did not come in peace and quiet; the first dozen years fol- 
lowing 1854 were filled with hatred, struggle, and blood- 
shed. This was brought about by conditions outside of 
Kansas. As we have seen, twenty-five years earlier Kan- 
sas was made an Indian territory because people in the 
states wanted the lands of the eastern Indians. In 1854 a 
terrible conflict began here because there was a division 
between the North and the South on the question of 
slavery. 

Attitude of the North and the South Toward Slavery. 
Slavery had existed in the United States since very early 
colonial days. It had not been profitable in the northern 
states, but in the cotton fields of the southern plantations 
slave labor was in demand, and its use after the invention 
of the cotton gin had increased steadily with the passing 
years. The Northerners had long been opposed to slavery 
and made every effort to keep it from spreading into 
northern and western territory, while the Southerners 
were just as determined that it should flourish and that 
it should be extended into new territory. This difference 
between the North and the South developed great bitter- 
ness. Neither side lost any opportunity to take advantage 
of the other, and each was anxious to secure a majority in 
the Senate in order to obtain favorable legislation. This 
matter was so carefully watched that it had long been the 

(55) 



KANSAS ORGANIZED AS A TERRITORY 57 

custom to keep the "balance of power" between the states; 
that is, to admit free and slave states alternately so as to 
keep the number of proslavery and free-state senators 
balanced. The North, because of its more rapid growth 
in population, had long had a majority in the House. 

The Missouri Compromise, 1820. Missouri was along 
the dividing line between the North and the South, and 
when it asked to be admitted to the Union there followed 
a long debate in Congress as to whether it should come in 
slave or free. The question was finally settled by the 
Missouri Compromise, which provided that Missouri 
might come in as a slave state but that all the rest of the 
territory included in the Louisiana Purchase and lying 
north of 36° 30', the line forming the southern boundary 
of Missouri, should be forever free. In other words, 
slavery was to be forever excluded from Kansas and the 
territory lying north of it. 

Slavery Trouble Brings on the Civil War. This was in 
1820, about the time of the beginning of the Santa Fe 
trade. During the years when Kansas was an Indian 
country and was traversed by countless caravans the 
country remained bound by the terms of this compromise. 
But all this time the feeling of animosity between the 
North and the South was growing more intense ; northern 
churches and newspapers denounced the evils of slavery, 
free-state and abolition parties developed, thousands of 
slaves were assisted in making their escape through the 
North to Canada in spite of the strict fugitive slave law, 
and there was bitter strife in Congress between the free- 
state and the slave-state members. The relations be- 
tween the North and the South were becoming more and 
more strained. The time was rapidly approaching when 
the differences between the two sections were to be settled 
by a great war. 



58 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

The Conflict Brought into Kansas in 1854. The Civil 
War began in 1861, the same year in which Kansas be- 
came a state; but seven years earher, in 1854, Congress 
had passed a measure that brought the slavery trouble 
into Kansas and made this state the battle ground in the 
great national struggle over the slavery question. 

The Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 1854. The measure passed 
by Congress that played such an importcint part in the 
history of Kansas and of the Nation was known as the 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and was the work of Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. It provided that the two 
territories, Kansas and Nebraska, should be organized, 
and that the question of slavery should be left for the 
people of each territory to decide for themselves. This 
method of settling the question was known as "popular 
sovereignty." Because the settlers were often called 
squatters it was frequently called "squatter sovereignty." 

Reception of the Bill. Kansas and Nebraska were part 
of the territory which, according to the terms of the Mis- 
souri Compromise, was to be forever free, but under the 
Douglas bill they were to become either slave or free as 
the people who settled the territories might decide. When 
this bill was introduced into Congress it raised a storm of 
indignation among those opposed to slavery, and the 
debate which ensued lasted for months. The whole North 
was aroused and poured forth objection and protest, but 
to no avail. The bill was passed May 30, 1854. 

Result of the Bill. The Kansas-Nebraska Bill meant 
that the Missouri Compromise had been repealed and 
that there was no longer any boundary line against slavery. 
It meant that Kansas and Nebraska were offered as prizes 
to be contended for by the free and the slave states. The 
South said, "You may have Nebraska; Kansas is ours." 
The North refused to recognize such a division of spoils, 



KANSAS ORGANIZED AS A TERRITORY 59 

and insisted that both territories had been carved from 
free soil and should both come into the Union free. Both 
North and South desired to secure Kansas, and each side 
urged that as many as possible of its own people should 
emigrate to the new Territory. It could scarcely be ex- 
pected that, under such circumstances, Kansas would be 
left for gradual and peaceful settlement. The result was 
that the scene of strife was transferred from Congress to 
these western prairies, and from that time until the ad- 
mission of the Territory as a state the conflict between 
the forces of freedom and slavery was waged here. 

Indians Removed from Kansas Lands. It must be re- 
membered that at this time Kansas was an Indian country; 
that many of the eastern tribes had given up their lands 
in exchange for lands here which had been promised to 
them forever. Nevertheless, the Indians were removed 
from Kansas, many of them at once and others more 
leisurely. They were taken to what has since become 
Oklahoma, where many of them still live. In this way 
room was made for the white settlers to enter Kansas. 

SUMMARY 

For many years there had been bitter feeling between 
the North and the South on the slavery question. In 1820 
the Missouri Compromise was passed. This measure pro- 
vided that all the Louisiana Purchase lying north of the 
southern boundary of Missouri, except Missouri itself, 
should be forever free. This agreement was observed 
until the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854. 
This bill provided that the settlers of each of these terri- 
tories should decide whether it was to be made slave or 
free. Each side was determined to win Kansas, and as a 
result the slavery struggle was brought here. In order 
to make room for settlers the Indians were moved to 
Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. 



60 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 63-73, 
Spring, Kansas, pp. 2-16. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 81-82. 
Holloway, History of Kansas, chap. VI. 
Tuttle, History of Kansas. 
Larned, History for Ready Reference. 
Gihon, Geary and Kansas, chap. iii. 
Historical Collections, vol. ix, p. 115; vol. viii, p. 86. 
Foster, A History of the United States, pp. 325-329. 
Muzzey, American History, 379-412. 

Hodder, Genesis of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, in Proceedings 
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1912, pp. 69-86. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Why is 1854 an important date in Kansas history? 

2. What great national question affected Kansas at that time? 
Explain. 

3. Explain the attitude of the North and the South toward 
slavery. 

4. What was meant by the "balance of power"? 

5. Give the provisions and the date of the Missouri Compro- 
mise. How did this Compromise affect Kansas? 

6. What did the Kansas-Nebraska Bill provide? Give the 
attitude of the North and the South toward it. 

7. How did this Bill affect the Missouri Compromise? What 
was the result in Kansas? 

8. What was done with the Indians in Kansas? 



THE SONG OF THE KANSAS EMIGRANT 

We cross the prairies as of old 

The Pilgrims crossed the sea, 
To make the West as they the East 

The homestead of the free. 

Chorus: 

The homestead of the free, my boys. 
The homestead of the free. 
To make the West as they the East 
The homestead of the free. 

We go to rear a wall of men 

On Freedom's southern line 
And plant beside the cotton tree 

The rugged northern pine. 

We're flowing from our native hills. 

As our free rivers flow; 
The blessings of our mother-land 

Is on us as we go. 

We go to plant her common schools 

On distant prairie swells. 
And give the Sabbaths of the wild 

The music of her bells. 

Upbearing like the ark of old, 

The Bible in her van. 
We go to test the truth of God 

Against the fraud of man. 

No pause, nor rest, save where the streams 

That feed the Kansas run, 
Save where our pilgrim gonfalon 

Shall flout the setting sun. 

We'll tread the prairies as of old 

Our fathers sailed the sea; 
And make the West as they the East 

The homestead of the free. 

— John G. Whittier. 



(61) 



CHAPTER VII 

THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 

Little Known of Kansas in 1854. Kansas in 1854 was, 
to most people, only a name, a part of the great desert in 
the Far West, an Indian country. Many of those who 
had crossed it in emigrating to California had been im- 
pressed with the beauty and richness of the country and 
had written back glowing accounts of it. Some of them 
had returned from the coast, and were now numbered 
among our early settlers. When its organization as a 
territory brought it into such prominence, knowledge of 
Kansas soon became more general. 

Advantages of the South. The people of the South 
felt confident that they could make it a slave state, for 
they had gained many victories in Congress, and the 
President, Franklin Pierce, was in sympathy with them. 
Moreover, they were closer to Kansas than were the 
northern people, and the only state touching Kansas was 
the slave state Missouri. 

Advantages of the North. The people of the North, 
however, possessed one very important advantage. The 
population of the South consisted largely of plantation 
owners and their slaves, and it was not an easy matter 
for these men to leave their property or to take it into a 
new and untried country. On the other hand, the North 
was a land of small farms and shops and many laborers. 
Moreover, there was much foreign immigration into the 
United States in those years, and since the employment of 
slaves left no place in the South for white laborers, most 
of the immigrants entered the northern states, and added 
to the number of those who were ready and anxious to go 
farther west. Consequently many more settlers came into 

(62) 



THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 63 

Kansas from the North than from the South, but the 
Southerners tried to overcome this handicap in other ways. 

The Coming of the Missourians. The plan of the 
South was to use Missouri as the stepping-stone to Kansas. 
Immediately following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill a number of Missourians came over into Kansas and 
took as claims large tracts of the best lands, in some cases 
not even waiting for the removal of the Indians. Settlers 
who asked for claims were required to build houses and 
to use the land for homes for a certain length of time. 
While some of the Missourians met these requirements, 
many of them did not come here to live. They notched 
trees, or posted notices, or laid rails on the ground in the 
shape of a house, or in some other way indicated their 
claims, and returned to their homes in Missouri, coming 
back only to vote or to fight when it seemed to them nec- 
essary. While in Kansas, however, they held a meeting 
at which it was resolved that: "We recognize slavery as 
always existing in this Territory," and, "We will afford 
protection to no abolitionists as settlers of Kansas Ter- 
ritory." 

Handicap to Northern Emigration. The free-state peo- 
ple could not step over a boundary line and be in Kansas. 
They lived a long way off, the trip out here was expensive, 
and little was known of the new Territory. It was a land 
without homes or towns, churches, schools, or newspapers, 
and the Northerners knew that people would hesitate to 
start to Kansas under all these difficulties. 

The New England Emigrant Aid Company. So it came 
about that even while the Kansas-Nebraska Bill was pend- 
ing in Congress a Massachusetts man named Eli Thayer 
had thought out a plan for assisting and encouraging the 
people to undertake the long journey. His plan was to 
form a company for the purpose of inducing and organ- 



64 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

izing emigration to Kansas and reducing the expense and 
hardship involved. This was not to be done as charity, 
but was to be put on a business basis. Thayer aroused 
public interest in his plan by constant writing and speak- 
ing, and since the people were ready to listen to whatever 
promised to aid in making Kansas a free state, money 
enough was soon raised to organize a company, called the 
New England Emigrant Aid Company. It gathered and 
published information concerning the new country and 
organized emigrants into large parties in order to make 
the journey more pleasant, to reduce expense, and to 
lessen danger. Competent guides were sent with the 
parties. The company established schools, newspapers, 
mills, hotels, and other improvements that tended to 
lessen the hardships of the pioneers and to further the 
development of the new Territory. Several similar organ- 
izations were formed, but none of them was so well known 
nor so efficient as the New England Emigrant Aid Com- 
pany. 

Work of the Emigrant Aid Companies. Hundreds of 
people came here under the management of these com- 
panies, but probably the greatest service the companies 
performed was that of giving an immense amount of 
publicity and advertising to Kansas. Newspapers were 
filled with descriptions of the loveliness, the fertility, and 
the future greatness of the new Territory, and people were 
urged to go to Kansas at once, both to secure the advan- 
tages of the country and to help in saving it from slavery. 
In this way interest and enthusiasm were aroused over 
the whole North, but for every one who came in one of 
the emigrant aid parties there were many who came in- 
dependently, especially from the states farther west than 
New England — Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and 
Iowa. 



THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 65 

Southern Organizations. The organizations in the 
North aroused much bitter feeUng in the South, and a 
reward was offered for the capture of EH Thayer. The 
South soon formed organizations too, some of them being 
known as Blue Lodges, Social Bands, and Sons of the 
South. 

The Coming of the Free-state Settlers. As has been 
stated, the Missourians came into Kansas immediately 
after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill on May 30, 
but the free-state people were not far behind, for on the 
first day of August, just two months later, the first party 
of emigi'ants sent out by the New England Emigrant Aid 
Company reached the Territory. Even these were not the 
first free-state men to arrive; a few who had come inde- 
pendently were already here. 

The First Party of Settlers. This first party consisted 
of only twenty-nine men. It had been organized with 
some difficulty, for coming to Kansas was looked upon as 
a dangerous undertaking. Hundreds of people gathered 
to bid these men farewell as they started on their long 
journey to take part in the great conflict between freedom 
and slavery. There were many who would not have been 
surprised had the whole party been murdered on their 
arrival in Kansas, but when nothing of the kind happened 
others took courage and more parties soon followed. 

They Reach the Present Site of Lawrence. The pioneer 
party reached St. Louis by railroad, where they boarded a 
steamboat and came up the Missouri River to Kansas 
City, then a town of only three or four hundred people. 
There they purchased an ox team to transport their bag- 
gage, and on Saturday evening set out on foot into Kansas. 
By Tuesday noon they reached the present site of Law- 
rence, where they pitched their tents on a big flat-topped 
hill. To-day the great buildings of the University of 

—5 



THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 67 

Kansas stand on this hill, which is still called Mount 
Oread, ^ the name given it by this first party of pioneers. 
The weather was extremely hot; a drouth had parched 
the earth and prairie fires had destroyed the grass, but the 
pioneers were not discouraged. They staked out claims 
in the surrounding country and began preparations for 
the future. 

The Second Party Arrives. In a short time the second 
party arrived. It was under the direction of Dr. Charles 
Robinson and Samuel C. Pomeroy, who were leaders in 
the free-state cause during the whole Territorial struggle. 
This party was much larger, and part of its members wei'e 
women and children. The town was now laid out, organ- 
ized, and named Lawi'ence.^ On the arrival of this party 
a boarding house was established by two of the women. 
It was thus described by a writer of that time: "In the 
open air, on some logs of wood, two rough boards were laid 
across for a table, and on washtubs, kegs, and blocks the 
boarders were seated around it." A short time later a 
hotel was opened. It was constructed by driving into the 
ground two long rows of poles, which were brought together 
at the top and the sides thatched with prairie grass. The 
ends were made of cotton cloth, and the building resembled 
the "stray roof of a huge warehouse." 

Getting Ready for the First Winter. The people lived 
in tents and houses of thatch through the summer and fall, 
but in the meantime all were busy getting log cabins ready 
for the winter. By the time winter had come a number of 
things had been accomplished: a sawmill was running, 
churches had been organized, two newspapers had been 

1. Named after Mount Oread Seminary at Worcester, Mass., 
of which Eli Thayer was the founder and proprietor. 

2. Named in honor of Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston, an active 
member of the Emigrant Aid Company. 



68 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

established, and Lawrence had been granted a post office 
with mail from Kansas City three times a week. The 
population was about four hundred. Many of the cabins 
still had cloth doors and were without floors, and altogether 
the people had all they could do to take care of themselves 
through the winter. When two more parties of emigrants 
arrived at the beginning of winter the task became much 
more difficult. 

The Actual Settlers' Association. Besides the work of 
building homes and developing the town, there was much 
to occupy the minds of the pioneers. Missourians had 
taken claims over much of the eastern part of the Ter- 
ritory. While some proslavery settlers had come to make 
homes, just as the free-state settlers had, most of those 
who had taken claims were really living in Missouri. 
When the first party came to Lawrence, the members 
bought out the claims where they located their town; 
later other claimants appeared, and there was much 
trouble over the title to the land. The same kind of 
trouble arose in regard to the land taken by many free- 
state settlers outside of Lawrence. It became a common 
occurrence for a Missourian to come over and lay claim to 
some free-state man's land and warn him to leave the 
Territory. This caused the formation of the Actual Set- 
tlers' Association, which helped to adjust such difficulties. 

Other Towns. Lawrence was not the only place in the 
Territory that was settled before the close of the first 
winter. People were coming in from north, east, and 
south, settling on claims and starting other towns. The 
principal proslavery towns were Leavenworth, Atchison, 
and Lecompton. Free-state towns were Lawrence, To- 
peka, Osawatomie, and Manhattan. Leavenworth and 
Atchison were both founded by people from Missouri, and, 
since they were on the Missouri River, came to be out- 



THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 



69 



fitting points for travelers over the California and Salt 
Lake Trails. Lecompton, on the Kansas River, not far 
from Lawrence, soon became the headquarters of the pro- 
slavery people, and for several years was the Territorial 







The First House in Topeka. 

capital. Topeka was founded with the hope of its be- 
coming the capital of Kansas. Osawatomie soon became 
an important free-state center. Manhattan, on the Kansas 
River at the mouth of the Big Blue, was for the first few 
months called Boston. On the arrival of a party of 
seventy-five people from Cincinnati, Ohio, the name was 
changed to Manhattan. This party made the entire trip 
from Cincinnati to Manhattan by boat. 



SUMMARY 

When Kansas Territory was organized little was known 
of it, but, because it was wanted by both the North and 
the South, knowledge of Kansas spread rapidly. The 



II 



70 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

South had the support of every branch of the National 
Government and the added advantage that the only State 
touching Kansas was proslavery. The advantage of the 
North lay in the fact that it had a much larger number of 
people who were free to move to a new country. The 
proslavery Missourians came in at once and took claims. 
A few free-state people came within a month, and in two 
months the emigrant aid parties began to arrive. The 
fact that many Missourians had staked out claims and 
gone back home led to numerous claim disputes and 
caused the organization of the Actual Settlers* Association. 
By the time winter had come four emigrant aid parties 
had arrived at Lawrence, many settlers were living on 
their claims, and several towns had been started by each 
side. 

REFERENCES 

Spring, Kansas, pp. 29-40. 

Brooks, The Boy Settlers. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 71-78. 

Thayer, The Kansas Crusade. 

Robinson, The Kansas Conflict, chaps, ii-iv. 

Mrs. Robinson, Kansas — Its Interior and Exterior Life. 

Gihon, Geary and Kansas, chap. iv. 

Historical Collections, vol. vi, p. 90; vol. ix, p. 144. 

QUESTIONS 

1. When was Kansas organized as a territory? In what ways 
had the people gained any knowledge of Kansas up to this time? 
Why did Kansas soon become well known? 

2. What advantages did the South have in the effort to win 
Kansas? The North? 

8. Contrast the manner of life in the North and the South in 
those days. What do you know of the conditions to-day? 

4. Why did Missouri play an important part in early Kansas 
affairs? Explain how Missourians took claims. 

5. Why did the North organize emigrant aid companies? What 
was the chief company? What did it do? Did all the Kansas set- 
tlers come under the management of these companies? 

6. What was the attitude of the South toward these organi- 
zations? 



THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS 71 

7. When did the first emigrant aid party arrive? Tell of their 
journey; their settlement. Were they the first free-state settlers to 
arrive? 

8. Give an account of the second party. Tell something of the 
way they lived. What had been accomplished by the time winter 
set in? 

9. What was the Actual Settlers' Association? Why was it 
formed? 

10. Name several persons connected with this period of Kansas 
history, and tell something of each. 

11. Name and locate some of the towns settled during this period. 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 

The Government of a Territory. When a territory is 
organized it must be provided with a government. The 
people in a territory may not elect their officers as in a 
state; they may elect a legislature and a delegate to Con- 
gress, but the governor, secretary, judges, and certain 
other officers are appointed by the President. 

The First Territorial Governor. In October, 1854, 
there arrived in Kansas the first Territorial Governor, 
Andrew H. Reeder, who, although he was known to favor 
slavery, was heartily welcomed by all the people. That 
he might become familiar with conditions in the Territory, 
Governor Reeder made a tour of inspection shortly after 
his arrival. Although this was but little more than four 
months after the opening of the Territory, he found a 
number of settlements scattered over eastern Kansas. 
Tov^Tis were springing up, and the prairies were dotted 
with the tents and cabins of the pioneers. Several thou- 
sand people had arrived by this time, some of them free- 
state and some proslavery. The proslavery settlers had 
brought a few slaves. There were also many Indians here, 
for only a part of the tribes had as yet been removed. 

The First Election Called. On his return from his tour 
of observation, which had included the most remote settle- 
ments, as far west as Council Grove and Fort Riley, Gov- 
ernor Reeder issued a proclamation for the first election 
to be held in Kansas. The date was set for November 29, 
at which time a delegate to Congress was to be chosen. 

Interest in the Election. The settlers were all busily 
engaged in building cabins and otherwise providing for the 
coming of winter, and since this election was not deemed 

(72) 



THE FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 73 

of much importance they took little interest in it. This 
was not the case, however, with the Missourians, and at 
this first election, under the leadership of their Senator, 
D. R. Atchison, they gave an exhibition of the methods 
by which they expected to control Kansas. 

Election Day, November 29, 1854. On the day before 
election the Blue Lodge voters began to cross the border 
into Kansas, They came well armed, and organized into 
companies, each of which went to a polling place. They 
came to vote, and they voted. There were so many of 
them that they were able to outnumber the legal voters 
in many of the precincts where they took possession of 
the polls. Election judges who refused to accept their 
votes were removed and judges of their own installed.^ 

The Result. Of course the proslavery delegate was 
overwhelmingly elected. He would probably have been 
elected had the Missourians stayed at home, for up to this 
time a majority of the settlers outside of Lawrence favored 
slavery. The result of this unfair election was to renew 
the excitement in the North at such a working out of the 
principle of "popular sovereignty." But the free-state 
pioneers were not to be discouraged. They continued, 
during the winter, their home building, their preparations 
for the spring cultivation, and the securing of titles to 
their land. 

The Second Election, March 30, 1855. The first event 
of importance in the new year was the taking of the census 
of the Territory in the spring. It showed a total popula- 
tion of 8601, about 3000 of whom were voters. A little 
later a date was set for the election of a Territorial Legis- 
lature. Since this body of men would make the laws for 

1. It should be borne in mind that many of the Missourians 
who took such an active part in Kansas affairs were not representa- 
tive citizens of that state, but were of the unprincipled and outlaw 
classes. Many of them v'ere hired for this work. 



74 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

the Territory, there was no lack of interest among the 
settlers in this election. It was well understood that the 
Missourians were expecting to vote again. Money was 
being raised and men hired to march into Kansas on elec- 
tion day. They came, fully five thousand of them, armed 
with pistols, guns, and bowie-knives, and marched to the 
different polling places. They did not pretend to be resi- 
dents of Kansas, but boasted that they were from Missouri. 
They were disorderly and dangerous, and in many cases 
drove the legal voters from the polls. Not more than half 
of the 3000 rightful voters cast ballots in this election, but 
the count showed that more than 6000 ballots were cast. 
The "Bogus Legislature." The whole thing had been 
so openly fraudulent that the free-state people demanded 
that the Governor set aside this election and call a new 
one. The Missourians threatened his life if this were done. 
When the day came for deciding the question, the men 
who had been fraudulently elected gathered in the Gov- 
ernor's office, armed and defiant. The Governor and a 
number of his friends who were there to protect him were 
also armed. Bitter discussion ensued, but there was no 
fighting. Contests had not been filed against all of the 
men elected. Governor Reeder decided to recognize the 
election except where sufficient proof of fraud was shown. 
In these cases he threw out the returns and ordered 
another election. The proslavery men took no part in the 
new election, and a number of free-state men were chosen 
to the Legislature. When the Legislature met, the pro- 
slavery majority promptly unseated these free-state mem- 
bers and recognized the men first elected. This gave the 
Territory an entirely proslavery legislature. It was called 
by the free-state people the "Bogus Legislature." The 
proslavery leaders were B. F. Stringfellow and D. R. 
Atchison, both of whom lived in Missouri but took an 



THE FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 75 

active part in Kansas affairs. Senator Atchison said, 
"We wish to make Kansas in all respects like Missouri." 
So they adopted the whole body of Missouri laws, and 
added a series of slave laws that were probably the most 
severe of any ever enacted in the United States. 

The First Legislature, at Pawnee, July, 1855. The 
Governor chose Pawnee as the place where the Legislature 
should meet. Pawnee was a new town on the Kansas 
River, within the present bounds of the Fort Riley military 
reservation. Since it was west of nearly all the settle- 
ments, the members had to make long journeys to reach it. 
Both because of the inconvenience of location and because 
the proslavery members desired to be nearer the Missouri 
border, the Legislature remained in session at Pawnee 
only five days, just long enough to unseat the free-state 
members and to pass an act removing the seat of govern- 
ment temporarily to Shawnee Mission. All that remains 
of Pawnee to-day is the old stone building that was erected 
for a capitol. 

The Removal of Governor Reeder. Governor Reeder 
had refused to accede to all the demands of the proslavery 
people, and had fallen into disfavor with them. When 
he refused to sign some of their measures they petitioned 
the President for his removal, which soon followed. 
Governor Reeder's administration had lasted through less 
than a year of these troublous times. In the summer of 
1855, with the Territory little more than a year old, the 
people were divided into two bitter factions, proslavery 
and free-state, with the proslavery people congratulating 
themselves upon being rid of a Governor they could not 
control, upon having the support of the President, and 
upon having a Legislature unanimously proslavery. Daniel 
Woodson, the Territorial Secretary, who now became 



76 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Acting Governor, approved the acts of the proslavery 
Legislature. 

Gloomy Outlook for the Free-state People. These were 
dark days for the free-state people; they had no hand in 
the Government and no recognition in the laws of the 
Territory. They were denounced, misrepresented, and 
ridiculed. To add to the gloom of the situation, the new 
Territorial Governor, Wilson Shannon, at first entirely 
ignored the existence of free-state citizens. No com- 
munity could obey the slave laws passed by the "Bogus 
Legislature" without becoming proslavery. But the free- 
state people had no intention of becoming proslavery; 
they had no intention of giving up the struggle. They 
found themselves confronted with the question of what 
was to be done. It was a very grave situation. 

SUMMARY 

The first Territorial Governor, Andrew H. Reeder, 
arrived in October, 1854. After a tour of inspection, he 
called an election to choose a Territorial delegate to Con- 
gress. Although there were probably enough proslavery 
settlers to carry the election, the Missourians, to make 
sure, came over in force, and elected their candidate with 
an overwhelming majority. Another election was called 
in March to choose members of a Territorial Legislature. 
The Missourians came again, and although the census had 
shown but 3000 voters in Kansas there were twice that 
number of ballots cast. On proof of fraud Governor 
Reeder threw out the contested returns and free-state men 
were elected, but when the Legislature met the proslavery 
majority unseated them and recognized those first elected. 
Pawnee was chosen by the Governor as the Territorial 
capital, but after five days the Legislature adjourned to 
Shawnee Mission. The measures passed were entirely in 
the interest of slavery. Although Governor Reeder came 
to Kansas favoring slavery, he did not approve of the 
methods of the proslavery people. He was removed in 



THE FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 77 

July, 1855. He was replaced by Wilson Shannon, who 
was in full sympathy with slavery interests. Every con- 
dition was unfavorable to the free-state people at this time. 

REFERENCES 

Spring, Kansas, chap. iv. 
Robinson, The Kansas Conflict, chaps, vi, vii. 
Holloway, History of Kansas, chaps, xii, xiii, xvil. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 87-101. 
Connelley, Kansas Territorial Governors. 

Historical Collections, vol. v, p. 163; vol. vii, p. 361; vol. viii, 
p. 227. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 79-87. 
Hodder, Government of Kansas, pp. 5-13. 

QUESTIONS 

1. How is a Territory governed? 

2. Who was the first Territorial Governor of Kansas? How 
long did he serve? What was his attitude toward slavery? 

3. What were the conditions in Kansas when the first Governor 
arrived? How far west did settlements reach at that time? 

4. When was the first election held? What was its purpose? 
Give an account of it. 

5. When was the first census taken and what did it show? 

6. What was the purpose of the second election? Give an 
account of it. 

7. Why was the "Bogus Legislature" so called? Where did it 
meet? What did it do? 

8. Who were some of the proslavery leaders? 

9. Why were these "dark days" for the free-state people? 

10. Who was the new Territorial Governor? With which side 
did he sympathize? 



CHAPTER IX 



RIVAL GOVERNMENTS IN KANSAS 



The Free-state Plan. The free-state people decided to 
ignore the proslavery government, and since they were 
really made outlaws by the "Bogus Legislature" they 
organized another government and sought the admission 
of Kansas as a state. To accomplish this it was necessary 
to draw up a state constitution, which must be approved 
by the people of the Territory and by Congress. 

Free- state Leaders. A number of meetings were held 
for the purpose of getting the free-state people interested 

and willing to work together. 

The leaders in these efforts 
were Dr. Charles Robinson, 
of Lawrence, ex-Governor 
Reeder, who had come back 
to Kansas as a tireless worker 
in the free-state cause, and 
James H. Lane, a man of 
much experience, who had 
recently come to Kansas. Lane 
became one of the most radi- 
cal of free-state men and played 
an important part in Kansas 
affairs for many years. 
The Topeka Constitution, 1855. In the fall of 1855 a 
convention was held at Topeka, and a state constitution 
which said, "There shall be no slavery in this State," was 
drawn up. When a little later the Topeka Constitution 
was submitted to a vote of the people it carried by an 
immense majority. Only free-state people voted, of course, 
for the proslavery people did not recognize any of these 

(78) 





> 

1 


1 



James H. Lane. 



RIVAL GOVERNMENTS IN KANSAS 79 

acts as having any force. Later in the winter state officers 
were elected under the Constitution, Dr. Charles Robinson 
being made Governor and James H. Lane a United States 
Senator. In the spring of 1856 the Constitution was sent 
to Congress with a request that Kansas be admitted to 
the Union, but the bill making Kansas a state failed to 
pass. 

The Wakarusa War, 1855. These were not the only- 
events occurring in the Territory, It had become evident 
early in the fall of 1855 that with the people divided into 
these two groups, each governing itself and denying the 
authority of the other, there would be a conflict. The 
proslavery people had committed several outrages that 
added to the irritation of the free-state people, but the 
real trouble came with the murder of a free-state man. 
This brought on what was called the Wakarusa War. 

The Beginning of the Trouble. A proslavery man 
named Coleman shot and killed a young free-state man 
named Dow. This occurred about ten miles south of 
Lawrence. Coleman then fled to Westport, Missouri, 
where he appealed for protection to a man named Jones, 
who, although he lived in Missouri and was the postmaster 
at Westport, had been appointed by the "Bogus Legis- 
lature" as sheriff of Douglas County. Jones was a border 
ruffian of the lowest and most dangerous type, and had 
made himself obnoxious to the free-state people by his 
leadership in the fraudulent elections. 

The Arrest of Branson. In the meantime a friend of 
Coleman declared that his life was threatened by Jacob 
Branson, an old man with whom young Dow had made 
his home. Thereupon Sheriff Jones arrested Branson, but 
a party of free-state men, indignant because of such high- 
handed proceedings, rescued him and took him to Law- 
rence. 



80 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Proslavery Hatred of Lawrence. Of all the settlements 
in Kansas, Lawrence was the most hated by the proslavery 
people, for it was the hotbed of free-state principles and 
the gathering place of those who scorned the Territorial 
Legislature. There had come to be a general proslavery 
conviction that nothing less than the destruction of this 
town could bring them peace and safety. 

SherifiF Jones Gathers an Army. Lawience had nothing 
to do with any of this trouble with the sheriff, but when 
the rescued Branson was taken there it gave the enemy 
an excuse to threaten the destruction of the town. When 
his prisoner was taken from him, Jones sent a call to Mis- 
souri for help and asked Governor Shannon for three 
thousand men to "carry out the laws." The result was 
that fifteen hundred Missourians assembled for the de- 
struction of Lawrence, and camped on the banks of the 
Wakarusa River about three miles south of the town. 

Lawrence Prepares for Defense. Meanwhile, although 
Branson and his rescuers had left Lawrence and there 
was not a man in the town for whom Jones had a warrant, 
his army continued to gather, and Lawrence prepared for 
defense. The surrounding settlers came in and the six 
hundred men built fortifications and drilled. 

End of the Wakarusa War. The army of Jones, "an 
unwashed, braggart, volcanic multitude," was living off 
the surrounding country, rifling cabins and stealing horses 
and cattle. The people of Lawrence were feeling the bur- 
' den of the siege also, for with the large number of those 
who had come in from the outside their supplies were being 
rapidly exhausted. Finally two men succeeded in getting 
through the lines of the enemy and reaching the Governor, 
who was being deceived about conditions. Governor 
Shannon then came to Lawrence, and, learning how things 
really were, took an active part in arranging a treaty be- 



RIVAL GOVERNMENTS IN KANSAS 81 

tween the opposing forces, and, to the disgust and disap- 
pointment of Sheriff Jones, dispersed the proslavery army. 
Without battle or bloodshed, what has since been known 
as the Wakarusa War was over. 

SUMMARY 

Instead of submitting to the proslavery Territorial 
Government, the free-state people decided to set up 
another government. They held a convention at Topeka 
and drew up a constitution prohibiting slavery. This 
constitution was adopted by the free-state people of the 
Territory, and then sent to Congress with a request that 
Kansas be admitted to the Union. The bill failed to pass. 
These rival governments within the Territory brought on 
the Wakarusa War, the principal events of which were as 
follows: Coleman shot Dow and fled to Jones, sheriff of 
Douglas County, for protection. Jones arrested Dow's 
friend Branson, who was rescued by free-state men and 
taken to Lawrence, the town most hated by the proslavery 
people. Jones then gathered an army of Missourians for 
the purpose of destroying Lawrence. While both sides 
were preparing for the struggle, two free-state men suc- 
ceeded in reaching Governor Shannon, who came to 
Lawrence, and, on learning the real condition, succeeded 
in arranging a treaty of peace, and dispersed the pro- 
slavery army. 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 88-92. 
Spring, Kansas. 
Holloway, History of Kansas. 
Tuttle, History of Kansas. 
Gihon, Geary and Kansas. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 101-120. 

Historical Collections, vol. VI, p. 291; vol. vil, p. 521; vol. IX, 
p. 540; vol. X, p. 457. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Explain what is meant by "rival governments in Kansas." 

2. What was the purpose of the Topeka Constitution? 

—6 



82 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

3. Was Kansas admitted under this Constitution? 

4. Who was Charles Robinson? James H. Lane? 

5. What event brought on the Wakarusa War? Why was it so 
named? 

6. Name five persons connected with this war, and tell some- 
thing of each. 

7. What did Lawrence have to do with the trouble? 

8. Give the events of the Wakarusa War. How was it ended? 



CHAPTER X 

THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 

The Severe Winter of 1855-'56. The Wakarusa War 
closed in December, 1855. This second winter proved to 
be an exceedingly severe one, and many of the settlers were 
not sufficiently protected against the sudden and intense 
cold. Most of the houses were hastily constructed, one- 
room log buildings, many of them with dirt floors, and 
windows and doors of cotton cloth. The storms drifted 
into these cabins through numberless chinks and cracks 
in roof and walls. One of the pioneers, wi'iting of that 
winter, says: "At times, when the winds were bleakest, 
we went to bed as the only escape from freezing. More 
than once we awoke in the morning to find six inches of 
snow in the cabin. To get up, to make one's toilet under 
such circumstances, was not a very comfortable perform- 
ance. Often we had little to eat; the wolf was never far 
from our door during that hard winter of 1855-'56." 

Preparations for Hostilities. The struggle of the pio- 
neers with the hardships of winter closed hostilities for a 
while, but it soon became evident that the Missourians 
were preparing more extensively than ever to invade 
Kansas, destroy Lawrence, and drive the free-state people 
from the Territory, or force them to recognize the pro- 
slavery Territorial Government. The free-state people 
began to gather stores and ammunition and to send calls 
to the northern states for men and money to meet the 
situation. 

The Sacking of Lawrence, May 21, 1856. A number of 
minor conflicts occurred. Sheriff Jones was wounded, a 
young free-state man named Barber was killed, and then 
came the long feared attack upon Lawrence. From the 

(83) 



iJiiiiiiiiiiiiffliiii 




liHlllilllfliniiilHttHillHIfiJ 



ifffitijiiifiiiufi 



Territorial Governors, 



THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 



85 



beginning the policy of the free-state people had been to 
avoid conflict wherever possible. On this occasion they 
made every attempt to conciliate and to pacify the at- 
tacking force, but in vain. As the proslavery leaders rode 
through the town they were invited to dinner by Mr. Eld- 
ridge, the proprietor of the new $20,000 hotel built by the 
Emigrant Aid Company. They accepted the invitation, 
and in the afternoon the mob 
completely demolished the 
hotel. They threw the two 
printing presses of the town 
into the river, ransacked stores 
and houses, taking whatever 
they wanted, and before leav- 
ing town burned Governor 
Robinson's home. The finan- 
cial loss to Lawrence and the 
surrounding country was heavy. 
Though the people had been 
oppressed and outraged they 
had not been conquered. By 
offering no resistance they had 
robbed the affair of any possi- 
ble justification in the eyes 
of the world. 

John Brown. There was one who bitterly opposed this 
policy of nonresistance, who believed that the way to meet 
the situation was to fight. This was John Brown, a tall, 
gaimt, grizzled old man who had come to Kansas a few 
weeks before the sacking of Lawrence. Five sons had 
preceded him and had settled near Osawatomie. John 
Brown came, not to aid his sons in their pioneer struggles, 
nor to make a home for himself, but because it seemed to 
him an opportunity to strike a blow at slavery. He hated 




John Brown. 



86 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

slavery with an intensity that knew no bounds, and he 
gave all of his mind and energy to warfare against it. 
The Pottawatomie Massacre, May 24, 1856. The 

sacking of Lawrence roused him to a high pitch of excite- 
ment. He believed that this outrage should be avenged, 
and determined to strike a blow, to return violence for 
violence. With a party of seven or eight men, including 
four of his sons, he made a night trip down Pottawatomie 
Creek where a number of proslavery settlers lived. Five 
of these settlers were called out of their houses and killed. 

Beginning of Four Months of Violence. This kind of 
warfare was not in accordance with the plans or purposes 
of the leaders of the free-state movement, and was not 
approved by them. News of the awful affair spread 
rapidly through the Territory and created wild excitement. 
The Pottawatomie massacre was followed by a period of 
nearly four months of violence on both sides. 

Both Sides Arm for War. A band of border ruffians 
gathered to wreak vengeance on those who had taken the 
lives of the proslavery settlers of Pottawatomie Creek. 
The battle of Black Jack resulted, in which the border 
ruffians were defeated by John Brown and his men. The 
Missouri border hurriedly gathered more forces and 
marched a well-armed body of men into Kansas. The 
free-state men had been busy, too, and on June 5 the 
Missourians were met by a band of armed free-state 
Kansas settlers. 

Armies Dispersed by the Governor. This alarming 
state of affairs aroused Governor Shannon and he at once 
ordered both sides to disperse. The free-state army dis- 
banded, but the Missourians obeyed sullenly, and on their 
way back to Missouri they committed a number of depre- 
dations, and pillaged Osawatomie, which they hated be- 
cause it was the home of John Brown. 



THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 87 

Free-state Help from Northern States. The North was 
deeply stirred by the calamities endured by the free-state 
people in Kansas. Although practically all of the free- 
state newspapers here had been closed or destroyed, the 
papers in the northern and eastern states were filled with 
narrations of the hardships, robberies, and murders that 
had befallen antislavery settlers in the Territory. The 
Kansas troubles were discussed from the pulpit, and the 
great preacher, Henry Ward Beecher, advised sending 
rifles to Kansas and pledged his church for a definite 
number. The men thus sent out armed with Bibles and 
rifles were sometimes called "The Rifle Christians." 
Public meetings were addressed by men fresh from Kansas, 
among them ex-Governor Reeder, S. N. Wood, and James 
H. Lane. Much sympathy was aroused for the suft'ering 
free-state settlers. Large sums of money were raised, 
and companies of men were organized to take part in the 
Territorial contest. The movement swept over the states 
from Boston to the Northwest.^ "Societies of semi-mili- 
tary cast, no less willing to furnish guns than gi'oceries, 
sprang up as if by magic, and overshadowed the earlier, 
more pacific organizations." As a result of these agita- 
tions a stream of migration moved toward Kansas during 
the spring and summer of 1856. Every party came pre- 
pared for defense, and many brought with them a goodly 
stock of pro\isions. One wi'iter says of the immigrants, 
"There were fewer women and children, less house-lug- 
gage, fewer agricultural implements; more men, more 
arms, more ammunition." 

1. Ingalls said of this period: "No time was ever so minutely 
and so indelibly photographed upon the public retina. The name of 
no State was ever on so many friendly and so many hostile tongues. 
It was pronounced in every political speech, and inserted in every 
political platform. No region was ever so advertised, and the im- 
pression then produced has never passed away." 



88 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Missouri River Closed to Free-state Immigration. 

These activities of the North were viewed with alarm by 
the proslavery leaders. They believed that this inflow of 
free-state settlers must be checked or it would end all hope 
of making Kansas a slave state. One of the most im- 
portant of the measures they adopted for this purpose 
was the closing of the Missouri River to free-state im- 
migration. They overhauled the steamboats and seized 
merchandise and arms that were being sent to free-state 
people, and they arrested and turned back all travelers 
whom they believed to be unfriendly to the South. All 
overland immigrants received similar treatment as soon 
as they touched Missouri soil. 

New Route to Kansas. Although this policy occasioned 
the northern people considerable loss and much incon- 
venience, it did not check the movement toward Kansas. 
It simply meant that the immigrants came through Iowa 
and Nebraska, entering Kansas from the north. 

The Southerners also appealed to their people and 
money was raised and men were sent to Kansas, but the 
response was not to be compared with that of the North. 

A Condition of Lawlessness. While these things were 
going on, Kansas was becoming more and more lawless. 
It would be hard to say which side surpassed the other in 
misdeeds. A number of free-state leaders, including Dr. 
Robinson, were held at Lecompton during the summer as 
prisoners on a charge of treason. The free-state people 
were irritated by the loss of money, supplies, and mail, 
through the Missouri blockade. Bands of armed pro- 
slavery men guarded the roads out of Topeka and Law- 
rence, so that these towns were really in a state of siege. 
These guards lived on supplies taken from the surrounding 
settlers, and cut off supplies sent to the towns so that food 
became very scarce, especially at Lawrence, where the 



THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 89 

chief article of diet for some time was ground oats. Mean- 
while, supplies were reaching the proslavery towns, Te- 
cumseh, Lecompton, and Franklin, without hindrance. 
It was evident to the free-state people that their enemies 
expected to starve them out of the Territory, and they 
were stin'ed to retaliate. The free-state guerrillas again 
began their work of seizing the supplies of proslavery 
settlers and merchants. This was kept up until many of 
the proslavery people were completely impoverished. 

The "Army of the North." About the first of August 
a report that Lane was coming with the "Army of the 
North" spread over the Territory. James H, Lane was 
one of the free-state men who had been in the northern 
states, addressing meetings and raising men and money. 
He was a very eloquent speaker and had influenced many 
to come to Kansas. The "Army of the North" consisted 
of several hundred men, women, and children, most of 
whom had come to make homes for themselves. This 
army was a combination of several parties that had united 
to come into Kansas over the new route through Iowa and 
Nebraska. Lane was with the party, but only a small 
number were armed or had been gathered by him. 

A Proslavery Army Gathers. The proslavery leaders 
began to rally their men along the border. The following 
sentences are taken from one of the calls they published: 
"Lane's men have arrived! Civil war is begun! And we 
call on all who are not prepared to see their friends butch- 
ered, to be themselves driven from their homes, to rally 
to the rescue." A large number of men soon gathered on 
the border, anxiously awaiting permission to move into 
Kansas; but as Governor Shannon had dispersed the 
Missouri army a few weeks earlier, he now refused to issue 
orders for the new army to move into the Territory. 

Governor Shannon Resigns. About this time Governor 



90 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Shannon resigned. He had so displeased the proslavery 
people that he was compelled to flee for his life under 
cover of night. Daniel Woodson, Secretary of the Ter- 
ritory, now became Acting Governor until the new Gov- 
ernor should arrive. As he was in full sympathy with 
proslavery interests he opened the Territory to the Mis- 
souri invasion. Woodson's power lasted only three weeks, 
but they were the darkest days that Kansas had ex- 
perienced. 

The Burning of Osawatomie. The proslavery army 
moved into Kansas. The Pottawatomie massacre had 
not been forgotten, and when this army reached Osawat- 
omie, "the headquarters of old Brown," they attacked the 
town. John Brown had only forty-one men, and so 
thoroughly did the enemy do their work this time that 
only four cabins escaped burning. 

Arrival of Governor Geary, September, 1856. At this 
time the new Territorial Governor, John W. Geary, ar- 
rived. Governor Geary described the situation that he 
found on his arrival in the following words: "I reached 
Kansas and entered upon the discharge of my official 
duties in the most gloomy hour of her history. Desolation 
and ruin reigned on every hand; homes and firesides were 
deserted; the smoke of burning dwellings darkened the 
atmosphere; women and children, driven from their habi- 
tations, wandered over the prairies and among the wood- 
lands, or sought refuge even among the Indian tribes. 
The highways were infested with numerous predatory 
bands, and the towns were fortified and garrisoned by 
armies of conflicting partisans, each excited almost to 
frenzy, and determined upon mutual extermination. Such 
was, without exaggeration, the condition of the Territory 
at the period of my arrival." 



THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 91 

Conditions in the Territory. In the meantime the big 
body of armed Missourians was moving forward and the 
proslavery settlers were gathering in answer to a call that 
closed with these words: "Then let every man who can 
bear arms be off to the war again. Let it be the third and 
last time. Let the watchword be, 'Extermination, total 
and complete.'" The free-state people were scattered, 
unorganized, and but scantily supplied with arms and pro- 
visions, and were therefore in no condition to meet such a 
force. Fortunately, the new Governor, whose policy was 
that of fair play, at once ordered all bodies of armed men 
to disband. 

Preparations for the Defense of Lawrence. The Mis- 
sourians, however, continued to move toward Lawrence. 
The Governor then took some United States troops and 
went to Lawrence, which he found in an almost defenseless 
condition. The town was poorly fortified, with few pro- 
visions and not more than ten rounds of ammunition. 
Even the women and children were armed. There were 
not more than three hundred people, but there seemed 
to be no thought of surrender. They would either repulse 
the enemy or perish in the attempt. The arrival of the 
Governor with United States soldiers brought unexpected 
relief. 

End of the Reign of Violence, September, 1856. On 
the morning of September 15, Governor Geary marched 
out to the Missouri army encamped about three miles 
from Lawrence, held a conference with the leaders, and 
insisted that his orders for disbanding be obeyed. The 
Missourians consented, and the force of twenty-seven 
hundred well-equipped men went home. Thus ended the 
four months' reign of violence^ that had begun with the 

1. This period has given rise to the expression "bleeding 
Kansas." 



92 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

sacking of Lawrence in May. The threatened attack on 
Lawrence was the last organized effort of the Missourians 
to take Kansas by force. Both sides soon gave up their 
plundering expeditions, travel became safer and property 
more secure. For a time peace settled down over the Ter- 
ritory, and Governor Geary, believing that order was 
entirely restored to Kansas, appointed November 20 "as 
a day of general praise and thanksgiving to Almighty 
God.'' With the close of the period of violence a little less 
than two and a half years had passed since the organization 
of Kansas as a territory in the spring of 1854. 

SUMMARY 

Hostilities were renewed in the spring of 1856. The 
Missourians prepared for invasion, and the free-state peo- 
ple for defense. Several minor conflicts were followed by 
the sacking of Lawrence, to which the free-state people 
offered no resistance. This policy was not approved by 
John Brown. He counseled revenge and the Pottawatomie 
massacre followed. Then began a four months' "reign of 
terror." Several conflicts followed, among them the battle 
of Black Jack. An army was hurriedly gathered by each 
side, but Governor Shannon ordered them to disperse. 
The sympathy of the whole North was aroused, and men 
and money poured into Kansas. This led to the closing 
of Missouri to free-state travel, and the newcomers en- 
tered Kansas through Nebraska. During this time both 
sides were committing many outrages and there was a 
constant condition of lawlessness. The coming of the 
"Army of the North" resulted in the gathering of a large 
army from Missouri called "the 2700." Governor Shan- 
non resigned, and Acting Governor Woodson permitted 
this army to enter Kansas, and it marched toward Law- 
rence, pillaging Osawatomie as it passed. While Lawrence 
was awaiting attack, Geary, the new Governor, arrived 
and ordered the army disbanded. This ended the period 
of violence. 



] 



THE PERIOD OF VIOLENCE 93 

i 

REFERENCES 3 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 93-108. ^ 

Spring, Kansas. ^ 

Robinson, The Kansas Conflict. _ •; 

Mrs. Robinson, Kansas — Its Interior and Exterior Life.' i« 

Blackmar, The Life of Charles Robinson. i: 

Connelley, James Henry Lane, the Grim Chieftain of Kansas. i; 

Connelley, John Brown. ij 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 120-125. 
Ingalls, Writings, pp. 76-92, 228-262. 
McCarter, A Wall of Men. (A novel.) 

QUESTIONS 

1. When did the Wakarusa War close? 

2. Describe the winter of 1855-'56. 

3. What conditions came with the spring? 

4. Give an account of the sacking of Lawrence. 

5. Who was John Brown? Why did he come to Kansas? What 
was the Pottawatomie massacre? What do you know of John 
Brown other than what is given in this book? 

6. Give an account of the battle of Black Jack, the gathering 
of armies, and the pillaging of Osawatomie. 

7. What free-state assistance was given by the North? 

8. What measure did this lead Missouri to take? 

9. What was the "Army of the North"? 

10. What was "the 2700"? Who permitted this force to enter 
Kansas? 

11. Give an account of the second attack on Osawatomie. 

12. Name the Territorial Governors up to this time. 

13. Who was the new Governor? How did he describe the 
conditions that he found in Kansas? 

14. How was Lawrence threatened? What became of the army? 

15. When did the period of violence close? 

16. What condition followed? 

17. How long was this after the organization of the Territory? 



CHAPTER XI 

THE PERIOD OF POLITICAL CONTESTS 

Beginning of the Political Period, 1857. The Mis- 

sourians had given up hope of conquering Kansas by force. 
After the close of the period of violence the contest be- 
came almost entirely a political struggle between the pro- 
slavery and the free-state settlers, each side trying to win 
Kansas by securing control of its government. The next 
few years were filled with conventions, elections, and 
political schemes. 

Governor Geary Leaves the Territory. The second 
Territorial Legislature met at Lecompton in the opening 
days of 1857. Because of Governor Geary's efforts to be 
just to both sides, the Legislature did everything possible 
to annoy and harass him. The free-state men rallied to 
his support, but conditions soon became so intolerable 
that one night in March, after having been in office about 
six months, he made a hasty escape from Kansas. Gov- 
ernor Geary had found Kansas in a deplorable condition 
and left it not greatly improved, but he had attempted 
to do justice to all. His place was taken by Governor 
Walker, who arrived in May. 

A Proslavery Constitution Prepared, 1857. Up to this 
time the only attempt to get Kansas admitted as a state 
was the effort of the free-state men under the Topeka 
Constitution, but the proslavery people had long been 
planning to draw up a constitution under which they 
might secure the admission of Kansas as a slave state. 
The Territorial Legislature provided for a constitutional 
convention, which met at Lecompton in September, 1857, 
and prepared what was called the Lecompton Constitution. 

(94) 



THE PERIOD OF POLITICAL CONTESTS 95 

The First Free-state Territorial Legislature. Two im- 
portant events were to take place in the fall of 1857: the 
election of a new Territorial Legislature, and the vote on 
the Lecompton Constitution. When election day came, 
United States troops were stationed in the different pre- 
cincts to prevent illegal voting and invasions from Mis- 
souri. Under Governor Walker's promise of a fair election, 
both parties voted for the first time since the fraudulent 
election in the spring of 1855. The result was a free-state 
victory, and the first time Kansas was to have a free-state 
Legislature. This result was not achieved without many 
protests and threats from the proslavery people, who now 
became afraid to submit their Lecompton Constitution 
to a vote, for it was clear that the free-state people were 
largely in the majority and would defeat it. 

Fear to Submit the Lecompton Constitution. After a 
number of meetings and debates among themselves, the 
proslavery people decided to get around this difficulty by 
not submitting the Constitution at all, but by offering in- 
stead these two statements to choose between: "The 
Constitution with slavery," or "The Constitution without 
slavery." 

Each Side Holds an Election. This gave the free-state 
people no chance to vote against the Constitution as a 
whole, and of course their indignation was aroused. The 
election was held in December, 1857. The free-state men 
refused to vote, and after several meetings and a special 
session of their new free-state Legislature the free-state 
people appointed a day in January, 1858, for an election 
to decide for or against the Constitution. This time the 
proslavery party refused to vote. Thus each side held an 
election and carried its point by a big majority. 

End of the Lecompton Constitution. No attention was 
paid to the defeat of the Constitution at the hands of the 



96 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

free-state people, and it was sent to Congress. After a 
long discussion Congress attached a number of conditions 
to the Constitution and sent it back to Kansas to be voted 
on by all the people. Of the 13,000 votes cast at this 
election, which was held August 2, 1858, more than 11,000 
were against it. This ended the second attempt to get 
Kansas admitted as a state. 

The Leavenworth Constitution, 1858. While the Le- 
compton Constitution was pending in Congress, the free- 
state people concluded that it was time for them to try 
their hands at constitution making again. During the 
winter and spring of 1858 they produced the Leavenworth 
Constitution, but it was not favorably received by the 
people of Kansas and was never voted on by either house 
of Congress. 

Trouble in Southeastern Kansas. These events of 
Territorial history occurred within a small area. With 
Lawrence as a center, a circle with a radius of thirty 
miles would include virtually all of them. Another part of 
Kansas, the southeastern, including what is now Miami, 
Linn and Bourbon counties, came into prominence at this 
time and showed that the period of bloodshed was not yet 
past. The southeastern part of the Territory had been set- 
tled largely by proslavery people, but gradually the North- 
erners began to come in. The proslavery people frequently 
made raids on them, the free-state settlers retaliated, and 
southern Kansas was soon in the midst of a guerrilla war- 
fare. The free-state people engaged in this warfare came 
to be known as Jayhawkers.^ Their leader was a man 
named James Montgomery. 

1. The origin of the word "Jayhawker" is uncertain, though a 
number of different accounts have been given of it. In recent years 
the term has come to be applied to our State and our people, and it 
is not unusual for a Kansan to be spoken of as a "Jayhawker." 



THE PERIOD OF POLITICAL CONTESTS 97 

The Marais des Cygnes Massacre. These conditions 
continued until in the spring of 1858. While the Lecomp- 
ton and Leavenworth constitutions were being considered 
in the Territory, there occurred in Linn County the Marais 
des Cygnes massacre, the most shocking and bloody event 
of the whole Territorial period. A Southerner named 
Hamelton made up a list of free-state men whom he 
planned to seize and execute. On May 19, almost two years 
to the day after the Pottawatomie massacre by John 
Brown, Hamelton with a gang of Missourians captured 
eleven of the free-state men, marched them to a near-by 
gulch, lined them up and fired a volley. Five men were 
killed, five were wounded, and one remained unharmed. 
This terrible deed created great excitement, and an un- 
successful attempt was made to capture Hamelton and 
his men.^ 

Order Restored. Steps were taken to bring about a 
more settled condition in southeastern Kansas. Though 
several other outrages took place, none of them was so 
barbarous as the Marais des Cygnes massacre, and order 
was gi'adually restored. 

Proslavery and Free-state Names Dropped. During 
the trouble over the Lecompton Constitution in the closing 
days of 1857 Governor Walker was compelled to resign, 
and in the autumn of 1858 Governor Denver, who suc- 
ceeded him, voluntarily resigned. Although Denver was 
the fifth Territorial Governor, he was the first one who 
had not been compelled to give up his office. This was 
one of the indications that better days were beginning in 
Kansas. Lawlessness was practically over. The South 
was no longer hopeful of making Kansas a slave state. 
The settlers dropped the terms proslavery and free-state, 

1. One of Hamelton's men was brought to justice five years 
later. 

—7 



98 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

and identified themselves with the National political 
parties. 

The Wyandotte Constitution, 1859. In the summer of 
the next year, 1859, a fourth constitutional convention 
was held at Wyandotte. There was less hard feeling now 
between the two factions, and the members of this conven- 
tion were from both political parties, Democrat and Re- 
publican. It was generally conceded by this time that 
Kansas was to be a free state, and the new Constitution 
contained the words, "There shall be no slavery in this 
State; and no involuntary servitude, except for crime, 
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." This 
was called the Wyandotte Constitution, and when it was 
submitted to the people in the fall a large majority of the 
votes were cast in favor of it. 

Kansas Admitted to the Union, January 29, 1861. But 
the question was not yet settled, for Congress had to vote 
on the admission of Kansas under the Wyandotte Con- 
stitution. These events took place in the closing days of 
1859, only a little more than a year before the beginning 
of the Civil War. Relations between the North and the 
South had become strained almost to the breaking point. 
The Congressmen from the South had given up hope of 
making Kansas a slave state, but they were certainly not 
anxious to admit it as a free state, and consequently a 
year passed before the Wyandotte Constitution of Kansas 
was acted upon. Finally, in January, 1861, some of the 
southern states seceded from the Union and their repre- 
sentatives and senators withdrew from Congress, leaving 
a free-state majority. The bill for the admission of Kansas 
imder the Wyandotte Constitution was at once called up 
and passed. The next day it was signed by President 
Buchanan, and on January 29, 1861, Kansas became a 
state. 



THE PERIOD OF POLITICAL CONTESTS 99 

First State Officers. In December, 1859, shortly after 
the people had voted to adopt the Wyandotte Constitu- 
tion, they held an election to choose state officers to act 
whenever Kansas should be admitted to the Union. For 
Governor they chose Dr. Charles Robinson, who had so 
faithfully served the free-state cause throughout the long 
but successful struggle. The first United States senators 
from Kansas were two other well-known free-state men, 
James H. Lane and Samuel C. Pomeroy. The Wyandotte 
Constitution designated Topeka as the temporary capital. 
An election was held in November, 1861, for the purpose 
of selecting a permanent capital. Topeka received 7996 
votes, Lawrence 5291, and all other places 1184. Thus 
Topeka became the capital of Kansas. 

SUMMARY 

The first two and a half years of the Territorial period 
were spent in the warfare which was practically closed 
when Governor Geary sent "the 2700" home. The last 
four months of the two and a half years formed the 
"period of violence." The next three years were given to 
the political struggle which ended with the adoption of the 
Wyandotte Constitution. During the remaining year the 
people went about their work, while this Constitution was 
pending in Congi'ess. In 1857, early in the political period, 
the free-state people succeeded, for the first time, in elect- 
ing the Legislature. The proslavery people prepared the 
Lecompton Constitution, but submitted to the people 
only two statements concerning it. The free-state people 
refused to vote, but held another election, at which the 
proslavery people refused to vote. After the Lecompton 
Constitution was returned from Congress it was voted on 
by both factions and defeated. In the meantime the free- 
state people submitted the Leavenworth Constitution, 
which was defeated. During the last six months of the 
political period the Wyandotte Constitution was prepared, 
adopted, and sent to Congress. This was in 1859. More 



100 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

than a year passed before Congress acted on the matter; 
then, January 29, 1861, Kansas became a state. 

REFERENCES 

Spring, Kansas. 

Robinson, The Kansas Conflict. 

Mrs. Robinson, Kansas — Its Interior and Exterior Life. 
HoUoway, History of Kansas. 
Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 107-143. 
Muzzey, American History, pp. 379-412. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 155-179. 
Ingalls, Writings, pp. 443-465. 

Historical Collections, vol. vi, p. 365; vol. viil, pp. 331, 443; 
vol. X, pp. 169, 216; vol. xi, p. 47; vol. xii, p. 331. 

QUESTIONS 

1. How long was Kansas a territory? Into what periods may 
this time be divided? 

2. Was Lecompton a proslavery or a free-state town? Of which 
faction was the second Legislature? How did the Legislature treat 
Governor Geary? Who succeeded him? 

3. What was the result of the election for a third Territorial 
Legislature? 

4. When and by whom was the Lecompton Constitution made? 
Why was it not submitted as a whole? What became of it? 

5. Give an account of the Leavenworth Constitution. 

6. Within about what area did all these events occur? Show 
this on a map of Kansas. 

7. Give an account of the troubles in southeastern Kansas. 
Who were the Jayhawkers? 

8. Give an account of the Marais des Cygnes massacre. 

9. What were the conditions in Kansas by the opening of 1859? 

10. What was the last constitution made in Kansas? When and 
by whom was it made? 

11. When was Kansas admitted to the Union? 

12. Who was the first State Governor? 

13. How was the State capital selected? 



THE HOMES OF KANSAS 

The cabin homes of Kansas! 

How modestly they stood, 
Along the sunny hillsides, 

Or nestled in the wood. 
They sheltered men and women, 

Brave-hearted pioneers; 
Each one became a landmark 

Of Freedom's trial years. 

The sod-built homes of Kansas! 

Though built of mother earth, 
Within their walls so humble 

Are souls of sterling worth. 
Though poverty and struggle 

May be the builder's lot. 
The sod house is a castle, 

Where failure enters not. 

The dugout homes of Kansas! 

The lowliest of all, 
They hold the homestead title 

As firm as marble hall. 
Those dwellers in the cavern, 

Beneath the storms and snows. 
Shall make the desert places 

To blossom as the rose. 

The splendid homes of Kansas! 

How proudly now they stand 
Amid the fields and orchards, 

All o'er the smiling land. 
They rose up where the cabins 

Once marked the virgin soil. 
And are the fitting emblems 

Of patient years of toil. 

God bless the homes of Kansas! 

From poorest to the best; 
The cabin of the border. 

The sod house of the west; 
The dugout, low and lonely. 

The mansion, grand and great; 
The hands that laid their hearthstones 

Have built a mighty State. 

— Sol Miller. 

(101) 



CHAPTER XII 

PIONEER LIFE 

Comforts of Life Receive Little Attention. The seven 
Territorial years had brought freedom to Kansas, but the 
struggle had left the pioneers little time or strength for 
building better homes, improving their farms, or estab- 
lishing public institutions. The energy that might have 







^ 












':"^-- 




' '~^iH 


^^^ 


^jfi 


^^--'^^.-.iiuiil 




fe| -ijj^ 


iJ; 


|>S| 


^jy- 


L ^ 


" 


,,v 


M 

"^^ 

v^ 


m 


G 


^4 


>"'^- 








"'i#." 


. * 



A D I' GOUT. 

accomplished these things had been given to fighting and 
to politics. When Kansas became a State, the people had 
almost as few of the comforts of life as when they first 
came to the Territory. A few of them had come with 
little idea of the hardships and privations of frontier life, 
and others had believed that such conditions would last 

(102) 



PIONEER LIFE 



103 



but a short time. Many of these, of course, grew dis- 
couraged and returned to their eastern homes. But the 
great body of Kansas pioneers had come with the twofold 
purpose of securing homes and making a free state, and 
were not to be discouraged. They had come to stay. 




In Pioneer Days. 



Conditions of Living During the '50's. Frontier life is 
always hard, but it was made many times harder in Kansas 
by the years of strife and warfare. The inconveniences 
and hardships were especially severe outside the towns. 
In these days of railways and good roads, of the telegraph 
and the telephone, it is difficult to realize what life on the 
prairies meant in the '50's. Post offices and mail routes 
came slowly, and for many of the settlers a trip for mail 
and provisions meant a journey of two or three days, or 
even longer, with an ox team. Neighbors were often many 
miles apart. Nearly every one's supply of farming imple- 



104 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

merits was scanty, and to replace a broken ax might re- 
quire a trip of from twenty-five to fifty miles. In the 
winter these journeys were often accompanied with danger 
and suffering. Streams were without bridges and many 
of the fords were deep and treacherous. Fences were few 
and roads were mere trails over the prairies, so when the 
blizzard swept across the country, piling its drifts of snow 
and obliterating every landmark, the unfortunate traveler 
was in great danger of losing his way. Getting a farm 
under cultivation was slow work at best. Since most of 
the settlers brought but little money with them they had 
to trust to raising a crop, and if sickness or drouth or raids 
made it impossible to raise the crop, want and suffering 
followed. 

The privations, the sacrifices, and the loneliness of 
pioneer life fell most heavily on the women. Business and 
necessity brought the men together occasionally, but the 
pioneer woman in the isolation of her prairie home often 
saw no friendly face for months at a time. There was 
much sickness and death, especially among women and 
children, resulting from the combination of poor food, 
uncomfortable houses, homesickness, and excitement aris- 
ing from the many dangers. The cost of transportation 
was so great that only the most necessary articles were 
brought from the East. Most furniture was home-made 
and cooking was done over an open fireplace. Corn bread 
and bacon with occasional game and wild fruits were the 
usual foods. In wet seasons there was much fever and 
ague. Sometimes a whole family would be sick at the 
same time, with no neighbors near enough to help and no 
physician within many miles. 

The Drouth of 1859-'60. Each year during the Ter- 
ritorial period the crops raised were barely sufficient to 
keep the people through the winter. There was no surplus 



PIONEER LIFE 



105 



at any time, and when the summer of 1859 brought a 
drouth, a famine resulted. Through all the hard struggle 
the people had believed that as soon as the strife and 
political difficulties were over, prosperity would come. 
However, with the dawning of peace in the Territory there 
came the most severe drouth that has ever been known in 
the West. It began in June, 1859, and from that time 




A Sod HimsE. 

until November, 1860, a period of more than sixteen 
months, not enough rain fell at any one time to wet the 
earth to a depth of more than two inches. Two light 
snows fell during the winter, but neither was heavy enough 
to cover the ground. The ground became so dry that it 
broke open in great cracks, wells and springs went dry, 
and the crops were a total failure. 

EflFect of the Drouth on Kansas Settlers. There were 
at this time nearly 100,000 people in Kansas, and to fully 



106 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

60,000 of them the drouth finally meant that they must 
receive help or starve. They had been able to fight border 
ruffians, but they could not fight starvation. After a year 
of the drouth they began to give up and go back East. 
During the fall of 1860 no fewer than 30,000 settlers 
abandoned their claims and the improvements that had 
been made at the expense of so much labor, and left 
Kansas. There were still 30,000 people here for whom 
charity was necessary. All this brought bitter disap- 
pointment to the people who had come to Kansas with 
high hopes and willing hands. 

Aid Sent from the East. As soon as the true condition 
of affairs was known in the East a movement was begun 
for the relief of the sufferers. Many states responded liber- 
ally, and immense quantities of provisions and clothes 
were sent here to be distributed. Hundreds of bushels of 
seed wheat were furnished. Besides all of the public help, 
many relatives and friends sent supplies to the pioneers. 
Nevertheless, there were many that winter who barely 
escaped starvation. 

Drouth Retards Development of Kansas. Great as 
was the suffering from disappointment and want, the 
drouth brought another evil; it threw Kansas back in its 
development. Not only had a third of the population 
left the Territory, but the accounts given by those who 
returned tended to discourage others from coming. The 
old stories about the "Great American Desert" were re- 
vived. Kansas was looked upon as a place of drouth and 
famine, and for several years the number of immigrants 
was much decreased. 

Statehood Begins. All this was taking place while the 
Wyandotte Constitution was being considered. Kansas 
was admitted as a State on January 29, 1861, at the close 
of the terrible drouth. Through the winter and spring of 



PIONEER LIFE 107 

1861 supplies continued to come in from other states, and 
included seeds for the spring planting. An excellent season 
followed. It might be thought that at last the Kansas 
settlers were to have an opportunity to cultivate their 
farms, build homes, and make their new State a place of 
peace and prosperity. But not so; Kansas was again to 
suffer from the troubles of the Nation. The opening of the 
Civil War was near. 

SUMMARY 

The fighting and political strife of the Territorial period 
left the people little opportunity for building up the 
country. Statehood found frontier life but little improved. 
The early settlers came to secure homes and to make 
Kansas a free state, and were not easily discouraged. The 
drouth of 1859-'60 caused nearly a third of the 100,000 
Kansas settlers to leave the Territory, and another third 
had to be given aid from the East. Immigration to Kansas 
was greatly decreased for a time. A good crop year fol- 
lowed, but Kansas had yet to pass through the Civil War 
before it could enjoy peace. 

REFERENCES 

Andreas, History of Kansas, County Histories. 

Cordley, Pioneering in Kansas. 

Hunt, Kansas History for Children. 

Historical Collections, vol. ix, pp. 33, 126; vol. xil, p. 353. 

Mrs. Robinson, Kansas — Its Interior and Exterior Life. 

Ropes, Six Months in Kansas. 

QUESTIONS 

1. What had been the chief interest of the Kansas people during 
the Territorial period? 

2. What were the chief reasons for people coming to Kansas? 

3. Discuss the conditions under which the pioneers lived, in- 
cluding travel, roads, bridges, fences, money, social life, houses, 
furniture, food, and health. 



108 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

4. Give an account of the drouth of 1859-'60. How long did it 
last? 

5. What was the population of Kansas in 1860? 

6. What was the effect of the drouth on Kansas? 

7. What have you read of pioneer conditions other than in this 
book? 

8. What have you learned about early Kansas conditions from 
talking with people? 

9. What new burden came with the beginning of statehood? 



CHAPTER XIII 

KANSAS IN THE CIVIL WAR 

Beginning of the Civil War. Just before Kansas was 
admitted several of the southern states seceded from the 
Union. The trouble between the North and the South 
had reached the point where it could no longer be com- 
promised. Other states seceded, and when, on April 12, 
1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon, the Civil War had 
begun. 

Part Taken by Kansas in the Civil War. A state that 
had just passed through nearly seven years of Territorial 
struggle closing with a famine would hardly be expected 
to take an active part in a great war, but the Kansas peo- 
ple had been battling over the slavery question, and, being 
deeply interested in the outcome, were ready to take up 
arms in defense of the principle of freedom. Every call 
for soldiers to defend the Union was liberally responded 
to in Kansas. This State furnished more soldiers in pro- 
portion to its population than did any other State. During 
the four years of the war Kansas furnished a few more than 
twenty thousand men, nearly four thousand more than 
were asked for, and all of them were volunteers. The 
poverty in the Kansas homes made it especially hard for 
families to be left unprovided for, and as much honor is 
due the women who stayed at home to work as is due the 
men who marched away to fight. The Kansas soldiers 
did duty on many battle-fields, and so conducted them- 
selves as to bring much credit to their State. During the 
war Kansas was exposed to three lines of danger ; invasions 
by the regular Confederate army, attacks by the unorgan- 
ized border troops, and Indian raids on the frontier. 

(109) 




Underwood & Underwood, N, Y. 



" 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this 
government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. 
I do not expect the Union to be dissolved; I do not expect the house 
to fall; but I do expect it will cease to be divided." 

— Abraham Lincoln. 



KANSAS IN THE CIVIL WAR 111 

The Quantrill Raid, August 21, 1863. For Kansas peo- 
ple the Civil War meant a continuation of the border 
troubles. Gangs of ruffians plundered and destroyed 
property, and frequently committed worse crimes. These 
acts reached a climax in the destruction of Lawrence on 
August 21, 1863. The raid on Lawrence was led by Quan- 
trill, a border ruffian who had taken an active part in the 
guerrilla warfare, and who with his men had sacked several 
smaller towns along the border. With about four hundred 
and fifty mounted men Quantrill crossed the border in the 
late afternoon of August 20, and proceeded toward Law- 
rence. Just before sunrise the raiders reached a hill only 
a mile from the town. It is strange that they could have 
made the ride of forty miles through Kansas settlements 
without a word of warning reaching Lawrence, but such 
was the case. When Quantrill and his men halted within 
pistol shot of the houses of Lawrence to plan their attack, 
the people suspected no danger. There was no armed 
organization within the city, and all firearms were locked 
in the arsenal. 

The attack began with a wild charge on the town. 
Horsemen rode through the streets at top speed, shooting 
in every direction. Then they divided into small gangs 
and scattered over the town under orders to "burn every 
house and kill every man." The horror of what followed 
has seldom been equaled in the warfare of civilized people. 
When the people of Lawrence realized that their town 
was in the possession of Quantrill's band they expected 
that it would be burned and a few prominent citizens 
killed, but wholesale murder was not looked for, and many 
who might have escaped remained and were killed. For 
four hours the ruffians robbed buildings, shot the occu- 
pants, and applied the torch. Every house was a scene of 
brutality or of remarkable escape. When the work of 



112 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

butchery and destruction was finished, Quantrill and his 
men retreated toward Missouri, mounted on stolen horses 
and heavily laden with plunder. They kept up their work 
of destruction by burning farmhouses as they passed. A 
few troops followed them, but the raiders escaped across 
the border. 

Loss from the Raid. The number of lives lost can never 
be known with certainty, but it was about one hundred 
and fifty. Many were seriously wounded. The loss of 
property was variously estimated from one to two million 
dollars. The work of rebuilding the town was immediately 
begun, and with all their poverty the people of the State 
gave generously to the stricken citizens of Lawrence. 

General Price Threatens Kansas. Kansas was too far 
away from the center of conflict of the Civil War to be- 
come the scene of great battles, but it was from time to 
time threatened with invasion by the regular Confederate 
army. During the last year of the war, General Price, 
with a large Confederate force, marched northward 
.through Arkansas into Missouri. When it was reported 
that he was moving westward, Kansas issued a call for 
more soldiers. The response was immediate. More than 
16,000 men appeared for service. A force of Kansas 
troops marched into Missouri and met Price's army in 
battle at Lexington. As the armies moved westward 
other battles were fought at the Little Blue and at the 
Big Blue, and again at Kansas City and Westport, after 
which Price was forced to retreat southward. He was 
followed by the Union army. He crossed into Kansas 
in Linn County, and skirmishes took place at Trading 
Post Ford, at the Mounds, and at Mine Creek. Price 
was then forced into Missouri again, where he was soon 
defeated. 



KANSAS IN THE CIVIL WAR 



113 



End of the Civil War, 1865. In April, 1865, the great 
war came to a close, after lasting almost exactly four years. 
The questions of slavery and disunion were finally settled. 
The whole nation was thankful to lay down its arms and 
go back home, "to drop the sword and grasp the plow," 
but this was especially true of Kansas, where the people 
had been doing battle over the slavery question for eleven 
years. The Territorial period and the Civil War period 
made one continuous conflict. With the heavy drain on 




The Counties of Kansas at the Close of the Civii, War. 

resources and population, it was not to be expected that 
Kansas would make much growth or progress during the 
Civil War. Development could little more than equal 
waste and loss. The population of Kansas numbered 
about 100,000 at the beginning of the war, and about 
136,000 at the close. There had been little improvement 
in the manner of living during the four years. 



SUMMARY 

The Civil War began within three months after Kansas 
became a state. Although Kansas had had no opportunity 
to recover from the Territorial struggle, it took an active 



114 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

part in the war. General Price threatened to invade Kan- 
sas with a large Confederate force, but did not succeed. 
The Indians committed depredations on the western 
frontier. The worst feature of the war was the border 
trouble, of which the Quantrill raid was the climax. Dur- 
ing the four years of the Civil War Kansas did not make a 
large gain in population or in progress. 

REFERENCES 

Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 179-215. 
Blackmar, Life of Robinson. 
Crawford, Kansas in the Sixties. 
Cordley, History of Lawrence. 
Connelley, Quantrill and the Border Wars. 

Historical Collections, vol. viii, pp. 271, 352; vol. ix, pp. 430, 
455; vol. XI, p. 217; vol. v, p. 116; vol. vi, pp. 305, 317. 
Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 143-168. 
Spring, Kansas, chap. xiii. 

QUESTIONS 

1. When did the Civil War begin? How long was this after 
Kansas had become a state? 

2. What part did Kansas take in the war? Explain. 

3. What were the three classes of danger to which Kansas was 
exposed? Discuss each. 

4. To which of these does the Price campaign belong? 

5. Who was General Price? Give an account of his threatened 
invasion of Kansas. 

6. Who was Quantrill? Give an account of his raid on Lawrence. 

7. How long did the Civil War last? 

8. How long had it been since Kansas was opened for settle- 
ment? What progress had been made? 

9. What was the population of Kansas in 1865? 



CHAPTER XIV 

KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 

Beginning of this Period. Nearly three score years 
have passed since the close of the Civil War; a 
period of work, growth, and progress. The earlier years 
in Kansas were but a time of preparation, and with the 
end of the war the people were at last free to turn their 
attention to farming or to other occupations. Hundreds 
of new settlers poured into the State each year. Little 
pioneer homes dotted the eastern part of the State more 
and more thickly and the line of settlement moved rapidly 
westward. 

Indian Troubles on the Frontier. As the white-topped 
wagons of the immigrants became more numerous the 
Indian and the buffalo were pushed farther on. But the 
red man did not give up his hunting ground without a 
struggle. The encroachments of the settlers had long been 
resented. Even before the close of the Civil War, while 
the soldiers were needed elsewhere, the Indians had begun 
their depredations on the frontier. In 1865 and 1866 
settlements were attacked in Republic and Cloud counties, 
stock was driven away, much property was destroyed, and 
a number of people were killed. The few settlers on their 
scattered claims were poorly armed, and, with no soldiers 
near to protect them, they were in constant fear of wander- 
ing tribes of hostile Indians. 

Open War with the Indians. The next year United 
States troops were sent to protect the frontier. They 
drove the Indians back and destroyed one of their villages. 
This only made the red men eager for revenge, and they 
began an open war on all settlers, immigrant trains, 
traders, and travelers. Robberies and murders were com- 

(115) 




It has long been customary for each nation to have a great 
seal. The United States has one, as has also each of the states. 
A seal is used to make an impression on a document as a sign of 
its genuineness. The design for the Great Seal of Kansas was 
adopted by the first State Legislature. The thirty-four stars 
represent the thirty-four states comprising the Union at that 
time. The scene is supposed to typify the settlement and growth 
of the State. The motto "Ad astra per aspera," meaning "To the 
stars through difficulties," is peculiarly descriptive of the state's 
history. 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 117 

mitted along the whole frontier, particularly in the Re- 
publican, Solomon, and Smoky Hill valleys, and in Marion, 
Butler and Greenwood counties. Travel over the Santa 
Fe and other westward trails almost ceased and the line 
of settlement was pushed eastward many miles. Many 
tribes engaged in these attacks. They dashed into the 
State from north or south or west, committed their cruel- 
ties, and were gone. 

The Broken Treaty. At one time the Government 
made a treaty with several tribes by which they were 
removed to a reservation in the Indian Territory, but 
were to have the privilege of hunting in Kansas as far 
north as the Arkansas River, and were also to be provided 
with arms. They kept their promise of peace only until 
they could get ready for another attack, and while part 
of them were being supplied with arms at one of the forts 
the rest were engaged in a most heartless and bloody raid 
on the northwestern settlements. 

The Indians Subdued. This led Governor Crawford 
to organize several companies of Kansas volunteers and 
to ask for more United States soldiers. Later a regiment 
of Kansas volunteer cavalry was called for, and on No- 
vember 4, 1868, Governor Crawford resigned his office to 
take command of this, the Nineteenth Regiment. After 
considerable fighting the Indians were finally subdued, 
and by 1870 the trouble was practically ended. There 
were a few outbreaks from time to time, but none of them 
was very serious. During this contest, which had lasted 
from 1864 to 1869, the lives of more than a thousand 
Kansas settlers had been lost, a great deal of property had 
been destroyed, and the westward movement of settlement 
had been greatly retarded. 

The Homestead Law, 1862. Shortly after the admission 
of Kansas to the Union, Congress passed a measure that 



118 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




A Prairie Stream, Common in the Western Part of the State. 

had a wonderful effect on the growth of the State. This 
measure was the Homestead Law, passed in 1862. This 
law provides that any person who is the head of a family, 
or who is twenty-one years of age, and who is a citizen of 
the United States or has declared his intention to become 
such, may acquire a tract of one hundred and sixty acres 
of public land on condition of settlement, cultivation, and 
occupancy as a home for a period of five years, and on 
payment of certain moderate fees. It also provides that 
the time that any settler has served in the army or navy 
may be deducted from the five years. Previous to 1862 
settlers bought their claims of the Government. The 
liberal provisions of the Homestead Law attracted thou- 
sands of settlers to Kansas. Many of the newcomers were 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 



119 




A Timbered Stream, Common in the Eastern and Central Parts of the State. 

young men who had been in the army.^ Many of them 
were foreigners newly arrived in America, while thousands 
of others came from the eastern or central states. Nearly 
all of them were poor. Many had scarcely enough to pro- 
vide for themselves until the harvesting of their first crop. 
But they were full of hope and ambition, and were willing 
to undertake the toil and privations of pioneer life for the 
chance to make real their dreams of a home on the Kansas 
prairies. 

Many Drouths in the Early Years. The task of turning 
the bare plains into fertile fields was a heavy one, and the 
brave people who began it endured many hardships and 
met many discouragements and disappointments. Severe 

1. A census taken in 1885 disclosed the fact that nearly 100,000 
Kansans had served in the Union army. 




State Go\'ernors. 1S61-1S77. 



KANSAS SINCE THE CTML WAR 121 

drouths were of frequent occurrence in the early days, and 
hot winds often swept across the countn.-. The year 1S69 
was dn.\ with a partial failure of crops, and in 1874 came 
a long dr\- spell, followed in the late summer by a scourge 
of grasshoppers. 

The Grasshopper Invasion, 1874. At diiTerent times 
there had been invasions of grasshoppei"s in the country 
west of the Mississippi River, but none of them was so 
disastrous as the one of 1S74. The grasshopp>ers. which 
were a kind of locust, came into the State from the north- 
west and moved toward the southeast. The air was filled 
vsith them. They covered the fields and trees and de- 
stroyed ever\thing green as they went. They left ruin 
and desolation in their pathway. In the western counties, 
where the settlements were new and the people had no 
crops laid by to depend upon, the result was much like 
that of the terrible years of 1859 and 1S60. By the time 
of the in\"asion there were more people, more pro\-isions, 
and more money, and the State was able to do much 
to help the thousands of its citizens who were left desti- 
tute. It became necessary-, however, to accept aid from 
the East again, and thousands of dollars and many car- 
loads of supplies were distributed to the needy. Xever 
since has Kansas had to ask for help. In more recent 
years our State has given generously to sufferers in other 
states and in other lands. 

This \-isit of the grasshoppers was prolonged into the 
next year, for they had deposited their eggs in the groimd 
and the next spring large numbers of young grasshoppers 
hatched. These destroyed the early crops, but for some 
unaccountable reason they soon rose into the air and flew 
back toward the northwest whence the swarms of the 
year before had come. There was still time for late plant- 
ing, and the crops of 1875 were abundant. 



122 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Prosperous Years Follow the Grasshopper Invasion. 

The coming of the grasshoppers had temporarily dis- 
couraged immigration, but prosperous years followed and 
people were again attracted to Kansas. More of the 
prairie was turned into farms; new towns sprang up; the 
country came to be more thickly settled ; railroads, schools, 
and churches were built; new counties were organized; 
and the old stories of "The Great American Desert" were 
gradually forgotten. Kansas was taking her place among 
the states. 

Life of the Early Settlers. In order that this great 
result might be accomplished, that the Kansas of to-day 
might be, a generation of men and women had to conquer 
these vast prairies that were swept by blizzards, parched 
by drouths, scorched by hot winds, and scourged by grass- 
hoppers. A few of the pioneers gave up and returned to 
their old homes, but most of them were of the sturdy type 
and remained, always believing that the day of better 
things was to come. Though they had little money and 
few of the comforts and conveniences of life, and though 
they were often filled with homesickness for the friends 
and scenes they had left behind, they stayed and worked 
and hoped. Volumes could be filled with stories of the 
hardships and sorrows of those brave people; stories of 
mothers who died from overwork or exposure or lack of 
care, of children who sickened from want of proper food, 
of homes swept away by prairie fires, and of homesteads 
mortgaged and lost. 

The Pleasures of Pioneer Life. But this is only one 
side. Pioneer life was not all dark. Most of the people 
were strong and healthy, and the out-door life with plenty 
of exercise and simple food kept them so. Although there 
was privation and hard work there was also much pleasure. 
Ask any old settler whether the people had good times in 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 123 

those days, and you will hear tales of spelling schools and 
of singing schools, of literary societies at which debating 
was an important feature, and of the country dance with 
its old-time music on the fiddle. These affairs were at- 
tended by young and old from miles around ; a trip of from 
ten to fifteen or even twenty miles was not unusual. Bug- 
gies were scarce, and most of the settlers went on horseback, 
or in farm wagons that did not always have spring seats. 

Quilting and husking bees, house-warmings, and camp 
meetings were other events of the early days. Since there 
were no telephones and since it was often days from one 
mail to another, pioneer families counted it a pleasure to 
"visit around" and exchange the news. Those were the 
days of real hospitality; the "latch-string hung out at 
every door," and all were welcome to enter. No house 
was too small nor no food supply too scanty for the enter- 
tainment of friends or wayfarers. Those were the days, 
too, when the children often waited for "second table" or 
stood up to eat because there were not enough chairs for 
all; when the boys wore high-topped boots, the girls wore 
sunbonnets, and a calico dress was good enough for almost 
any occasion. 

Buffalo Hunting. In the earlier years the buffalo hunt 
was one of the pleasures of the pioneers. In the fall parties 
of men with their teams and hunting outfits would set out 
for the buffalo range to secure a supply of meat for the 
winter. They were usually successful in finding not only 
buffaloes, but antelopes, wild turkeys, and occasionally elk 
or deer. 

Extermination of the Buffalo. Remarkable stories are 
told of the great numbers of buffaloes still roaming our 
western prairies fifty years ago; stories of herds miles in 
width moving across the country. With the inrushing 
tide of immigration the buffaloes rapidly disappeared. 



124 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Within little more than a dozen years after the close of 
the Civil War there were practically none left. This was 
not because they were used as food, but because they were 
killed for their hides. Large numbers were slaughtered 
and skinned and the bodies left on the plains. The hides 
were shipped east by carloads, where they were sold to 
make robes. 




Pile of Buffalo Hides Ready for Shipment. 

Selling Buffalo Bones. In a few years the prairies were 
thickly strewn with bleaching bones, and these, too, were 
gathered up and shipped east, where they were ground 
into fertilizer to be used on worn-out farms. These bones 
brought from six to ten dollars a ton, and money earned 
in this way served to tide many a homesteader through the 
winter. It has often been regretted that the Government 
did not take measures to restrict the killing of the buffalo, 
but the danger of extermination was not realized until 
too late. 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 



125 




Coyote. 



The Trappers. A great deal of trapping was done, es- 
pecially by the younger men. Often several of them would 
make up a party, and with guns, traps, and a winter's sup- 
ply of provisions start for a favorite trapping ground, 
where they would 
make a camp 
along some 
stream. Some- 
times the camp 
was a tent, but 
more often it was 
a dugout in the 
bank with the 
front part made 
of logs. Along the streams they caught chiefly the beaver, 
the otter, the raccoon, and the wildcat, and on the prai- 
ries the big gray wolf and the coyote. The busy days 
were filled with the work of visiting the traps, caring for 
the pelts, chasing wild game, and keeping an alert watch 
for Indians. When spring came and they turned home- 
ward to take up the work on the farms they often carried 
with them several hundred dollars' worth of furs. 

The Exodus, 1878-1880. The population of Kansas was 
gradually built up from many sources, but until 1878 there 
were not many negroes in the State. In that year there 
began in some of the southern states a movement among 
the colored people to migrate to western and northern 
states. So many thousands of them left the Southland 
that the movement came to be called "The Exodus." It 
is not strange that the State famed for its fight for freedom 
should attract many of the ex-slaves, or the "Exodusters," 
as they were called. During the years 1878-'80 several 
thousands of negroes arrived in Kansas. A few had teams 
and some farm implements, some had a scanty supply of 




V flOMNZODIliWaUNG t 



lmfuai!mamiHhHi[f»rr!llflfllH!ilH!lliHI!yif!il!l[fllllHHmiilllliill!!lliliill^ 



State Governors, 1877-1893. 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 127 

household goods, but many had nothing at all and had to 
be given aid. A very few of them homesteaded land, 
others found employment as farm hands, and the rest 
settled in different towns of the State. 

The Kansas Boom in the '80's. The ten years following 
the grasshopper invasion of 1874 were all good years. The 
rains fell and crops flourished. It was a period of remark- 
able growth and prosperity. During these years the rail- 
roads were making special efforts to bring settlers into the 
State, and Kansas was widely advertised. Reports of 
the opportunities here stimulated immigration, and settle- 
ments overspread the western prairies. Great confidence 
was felt in the future of the State, and people in the East 
eagerly invested in western land and property. Money 
was easy to borrow, and the Kansas people borrowed 
liberally and began speculating in real estate. Kansas 
was soon "on the boom." Property was bought, not to 
use, but to sell again at a higher price. Cities and towns 
laid out additions which were divided into lots and sold 
for large sums. Expensive improvements were made, and 
public and business buildings were constructed that were 
far larger and more costly than the needs of the time de- 
manded. Railway and street-car lines were built where 
there was not busines^ enough to support them. Hundreds 
of new towns were mapped out and the lots sold. Many of 
these towns never existed except on paper, and most of the 
others were later turned into pastures or cornfields. 

Collapse of the Boom, 1887. Since the new settlers 
were not familiar with soil and climate conditions in Kan- 
sas many of them selected land that was not adapted to 
agriculture, therefore much of the farming was not profit- 
able. In 1887 came one of the most severe drouths that 
was ever known in the country. The people lost confidence 
in Kansas and the boom collapsed. Eastern people wanted 



128 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

their money back, but there was nothing with which to 
pay them. Money could not be borrowed and mortgages 
were foreclosed. People who had bought property at high 
prices, expecting to sell at a profit, found themselves un- 
able to sell at any price. Many who had counted them- 
selves wealthy found their property almost valueless. 
Banks and business houses failed and hundreds of people 
were ruined. Thousands left Kansas, some of the western 
counties being almost abandoned. The year 1887 was 
followed, however, by several good crop seasons. A great 
deal of attention was given to the study of farm condi- 
tions, and Kansas began to make progress again. 

The Opening of Oklahoma. In 1889 Kansas lost about 
50,000 of her population. This came about through the 
opening of Oklahoma to settlement. The President issued 
a proclamation setting high noon of April 22 as the time 
at which the settlers could enter the new country to take 
claims. The opening of Oklahoma had been anxiously 
awaited for years, and, as the appointed time drew near, 
people from all parts of the United States began to as- 
semble along the southern line of Kansas. Arkansas City 
was the chief gathering place, for it was at this point that 
the one line of railroad entered Oklahoma. When, at noon, 
April 22, the cavalrymen who patr(^led the borders fired 
their carbines as a signal that the settlers could move across 
the line, a great shout went up, and the race for claims 
began. Hundreds crowded the trains, thousands rode on 
fleet horses, many rode in buggies and buckboards, others 
in heavy farm wagons, and some even made the race on 
foot. In the morning Oklahoma was an uninhabited 
prairie, at midday it was a surging mass of earnest, excited 
humanity, in the evening it was a land of many people. 
Within a few days the breaking plow was turning the sod 
on many homesteads, while merchants, bankers, and pro- 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 129 

fessional men were carrying on their business in tents or 
in rough board shanties. The rush of settlement to Kan- 
sas was remarkable, but the settlement of Oklahoma is 
the climax in the story of American pioneering. Although 
Kansas furnished such a large number of the Oklahoma 
settlers, immigration to our State from the East soon made 
up the loss. 

The Panic of 1893. In 1893 a financial panic extended 
over the whole countiy, accompanied in Kansas by a 
partial failure of crops. Those were dark days in Kansas, 
for many of the people were still burdened with heavy 
mortgages. But this period should be remembered as 
our last "hard times." Within two or three years condi- 
tions had greatly improved. The twenty-five years follow- 
ing that time brought almost uninterrupted prosperity. 

Kansas in the Spanish-American War. In 1898 the 
long period of peace that the country had enjoyed since 
the Civil War was broken by the Spanish-American War. 
The call for soldiers was eagerly responded to in Kansas, 
and four regiments were raised. Our State had furnished 
seventeen regiments during the Civil War and two for 
fighting the Indians, therefore the four for the Spanish- 
American War were numbered the Twentieth, the Twenty- 
first, the Twenty-second, and the Twenty-third. The 
Twenty-third was composed of colored soldiers. The only 
one of these regiments called upon to do any fighting was 
the Twentieth, which was ordered to the Philippines. 
There, under a Kansan, Colonel Fred Funston, the men 
of this regiment took part in the campaigns that followed, 
and by their bravery and efficiency brought much credit 
to themselves and to their State. The Twenty-third was 
sent to Cuba. The other regiments were trained and kept 
in readiness, but the early end of the war prevented their 
active service. 

—9 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 



131 




Senate Chamber in the State Capitol. 



The State Capitol. The year 1903 is an interesting one, 
for it marked the completion of our State Capitol. Shortly 
after the admission of Kansas to the Union the people 
selected Topeka as the seat of government. As soon as 
the Civil War was over and they had time to think about 
public improvements they began to lay plans for building 
a capitol. Every state has a capitol, or state house as it 
is often called, in which there are offices for the Governor 
and other state officers as well as large rooms for the meet- 
ings of the Legislature. It is for the state what a court- 
house is for a county. It should, of course, be a fine 
building, of which the people can be proud. But back 
in the '60's Kansas people were few in number and had 
little money. They could not afford to build a capitol 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 133 

that would be large and handsome enough for the future, 
nor did they wish to construct a small, cheap building 
that would have to be set aside later. Instead they 
planned a fine structure to be built a little at a time as 
they could afford it. 

In 1866 the Legislature provided for the erection of what 
is now the east wing of our state house. As the State grew 
in wealth and population, more money was appropriated 
from time to time for the construction of other wings, 
the great central portion, and lastly the high dome that 
reaches nearly three hundred feet into the air. The build- 
ing was completed in 1903, having been thirty-seven years 
in the making. It grew as the State grew, costing alto- 
gether between three and four millions of dollars. It is 
fitting that the great State of Kansas should now have 
one of the finest capitols in the United States. 

The Floods. The people of Kansas had withstood a 
number of drouths, but beginning in 1903 they were, for 
the first time, visited by a series of floods. The first one 
was probably the most destructive. Most of the water 
came down the Kansas River from the tributaries draining 
central and western Kansas, where there had been heavy- 
rainfall. Farms and towns along these streams were 
flooded, property was swept away, and a number of lives 
were lost. Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, where 
portions of the cities were inundated for days, suffered 
heavy losses. The following year nearly every stream in 
the State poured a flood of water down its valley, and 
many people had to flee to the hills for safety. In 1908, 
for the third time in five years, Kansas was again visited 
by high water. The loss occasioned by these floods 
amounted to many millions of dollars, but help poured 
in to the sufferers from many sources and they straightway 



!!!l!i?ffflHi^ 




IIIIIHHilliiiniiiia.rurl.r. 



WALTER R.STUBBS 



State Governors, 1893-1914. 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 135 

began the work of repairing and rebuilding. In a short 
time all traces of the calamity had disappeared. 

Stories of floods in Kansas have been handed down 
from far-off Indian days, but the earliest flood of which 
there is any account was in 1844. The Indians told the 
white men about it and advised against building close to 
the rivers, but no attention was paid to the warning. Since 
the recent floods, however, a number of people have moved 
back from the streams. A few of the cities, including 
Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, have built dikes, 
bridges have been lengthened to give streams more room, 
and several railroad gi'ades have been raised above the 
danger line. 

Kansas To-day. While the floods caused much loss 
and suffering, the State's resources had become so great 
that the condition of general prosperity was not seriously 
affected. Each year has added to the prosperity and 
progress of the State until now Kansas is one of the great 
states of the Union. We have only to look about us to 
see how marvelously conditions have changed since pioneer 
days. Great fields and orchards are spread over what was 
once the Indians' hunting ground, and cattle have taken 
the place of the roving herds of buffaloes. Tractor plows 
now turn the soil where once there was only buffalo grass, 
thriving towns and cities stand where once the tepee stood 
and shining rails of steel mark the paths of Indian ponies 
and emigrant trains. 

All these things have been done within a single genera- 
tion. Thousands of the men and women who came into 
Kansas in their wagons and drove across the unfenced 
plains are still among us, but now when they journey over 
the same country they go in swiftly moving trains or auto- 
mobiles. Where once they saw only the prairie and a few 
settlers' cabins they now see roads and bridges, farms and 



136 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

ranches, stores, banks, mills, mines, and factories. They 
see what they have helped to build, a great state, and they 
may well be proud of it. By their unconquerable faith 
and courage and their unremitting toil they have made 
Kansas what it is to-day. 

Government of Kansas. As the pioneers look at their 
State they may feel a pride not only in the acres that 
have been brought under cultivation and the wealth that 
has been produced, but also in a government that is one of 
the most advanced in the Union. Many measures have 
been passed to promote the welfare of the people. Among 
the important ones are: the child-labor law, the truancy 
law, the anti-cigarette law, the law providing for juvenile 
courts, laws pertaining to public health, the fire-escape 
law, the "blue sky" law, the primary-election law, and 
the law governing public utilities. These are only a few, 
but among the hundreds of measures that have been 
passed, affecting the character of our government, none 
stand out more prominently than the two amendments 
to our Constitution providing for prohibition and for 
woman suffrage. 

Prohibition in Kansas. Temperance was a live topic 
in Kansas from the beginning; even in Territorial days laws 
were passed that tended to regulate, in some degree, the 
liquor traffic. During the first eighteen years of statehood 
there was a constant increase in sentiment favorable to 
prohibition, and, in 1880, during the administration of 
Governor John P. St. John, the people voted to adopt the 
following amendment to the Constitution: "The manu- 
facture and sale of intoxicating liquors shall be forever 
prohibited in this State, except for medical, scientific, and 
mechanical purposes." The law has been strengthened 
from time to time, and more attention has been given to its 
enforcement, until to-day Kansas is one of the strictest 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 137 

prohibition states, and the popular sentiment against the 
use of Hquor is stronger here, perhaps, than anywhere else 
in the United States. For many years Kansas stood 
almost alone as a prohibition state, but in recent years 
the number of prohibition states has increased rapidly, and 
in 1918 a prohibition amendment to the National Consti- 
tution was offered by Congress, and in 1919 it had been 
ratified by the necessary two-thirds of the states. Kansas 
was among the number. It is a matter of pride in Kansas 
that ours was a pioneer state in this great movement. 

Woman Suffrage. Kansas has been one of the most 
liberal of the states in its laws concerning the rights of 
women, but it is only in recent years that Kansas women 
have had full political rights. In 1861 women were given 
the right to vote in district school elections, and in 1887 
in city elections. The question of complete woman suf- 
frage was voted upon and defeated in 1867, and again in 
1894, but in 1912 it carried by a large majority. Only six 
states, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, and 
California, preceded Kansas in granting to women the 
right of suffrage. A number of other states have followed 
Kansas, and now (1919) Congress has offered to the states 
for ratification a woman suffrage amendment to the Na- 
tional Constitution. 

Kansas in the World War. The period from the open- 
ing of the twentieth century to the beginning of the World 
War was, on the whole, one of peace and prosperity in 
Kansas. No great destructive force, such as famine or 
panic, left the people struggling for existence, nor did any- 
thing occur to stir their deeper emotions. Their chief in- 
terests were in building up their homes and their businesses 
and in developing their State. But suddenly, in 1914, like 
the people of the rest of the United States, they began to 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 139 

give more thought to the affairs of other countries, and 
when on April 6, 1917, the United States entered the war, 
the people of Kansas were ready to carry their share of 
the burdens. 

The young men of the State began at once to offer their 
services in the national guard, in the regular army and 
in the navy. There were more than 18,000 of these volun- 
teers. Within a few weeks Congress passed the Compul- 
sory Service Act, under the provisions of which approxi- 
mately 42,000 Kansas men were called into service during 
the war. The National Guard, numbering about 10,000 
men, was soon called. Altogether there were fully 70,000 
Kansans in the forces of the United States. These men 
were sent to practically every organization in the army, 
though the greater portion of them were in the 89th 
National Army Division, the 10th Regular Army Division, 
the 35th National Guard Division, and the 117th Ammu- 
nition Train of the 42d Division. All of these except the 
10th Division, which had not yet completed its training 
when the armistice was signed, were sent to France, where 
they took part in important engagements and bore them- 
selves bravely, notably the Rainbow Division in the last 
battle of the Marne, the 89th at St. Mihiel and the Argonne, 
and the 35th Division in the Argonne drive. Many of our 
young men went into special branches of service, such as 
the Air Service, Railway Engineering, Signal Corps, 
Quartermasters Corps and Ordnance Coi-ps. The Federal 
Government established two Officers' Training Camps in 
Kansas, one at Fort Riley and one at Fort lieavenworth. 
Many Kansas men attended these camps and received 
commissions. 

Hundreds of Kansas young women rendered skilled 
and devoted service as nurses, both in the training camps 
and overseas. 



140 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

The people of the State took an active part in various 
kinds of war work and subscribed more than their quota 
to all appeals for funds and to all bond issues. 

Altogether, Kansas played its part in the war with its 
accustomed loyalty and spirit. 

The Period Since the Civil War. In the present chapter 
we have touched only in a general way upon the State's 
progress, but growth has been in many directions and 
each activity has a history of its own. In order that we 
may better understand the advancement that has been 
made we will study more fully three of the most important 
phases of the State's progress and development— industry, 
transportation, and education. 

SUMMARY 

The years since the Civil War have been eventful ones. 
The Indian troubles on the frontier lasted from 1864 until 
1869. Much property and more than 1000 lives were lost. 
National troops and a regiment of Kansas soldiers were 
required to quell the trouble. Governor Crawford re- 
signed his position and took command of the Kansas 
troops. In 1878-'80 thousands of negroes arrived in 
Kansas. This movement from the South was called the 
"Exodus." The grasshopper invasion in 1874 was fol- 
lowed by ten years of prosperity. Then came the boom, 
which was ended by the drouth in 1887. Eastern money- 
lenders held thousands of Kansas mortgages, and though 
several good crop years followed, the State had not yet 
recovered when the panic in 1893 brought renewed trouble. 
Good crops followed, and Kansas, soon entered upon a 
period of prosperity which has continued to the present 
time. Kansas furnished four regiments for the Spanish- 
American War in 1898, and made the most of every op- 
portunity to serve in the World War in 1917-'18. The 
State Capitol, which was begun in 1866, was completed in 
1903. The years 1903, 1904, and 1908 were the flood years. 
Among the many important governmental measures are 
the prohibition and woman suffrage amendments. During 



KANSAS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR 141 

the period since the Civil War Kansas has become a great 
and prosperous state. 

REFERENCES 

Andreas, History of Kansas, Selected Topics. 
Blackmar, Kansas, Selected Topics. 
Parrish, The Great Plains. 
Wright, Dodge City, the Cowboy Capital. 
Crawford, Kansas in the Sixties. 
Spring, Kansas, chap. IV. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 168, 172-173, 184, 194, 204, 211, 
218-222. 

Historical Collections, Selected Topics. 
McCarter, Price of the Prairie. (A novel.) 

QUESTIONS 

1. What were the conditions in Kansas at the close of the Civil 
War? 

2. Give an account of the Indian troubles in Kansas. 

3. How did the Homestead Law affect immigration? 

4. Give an account of the grasshopper invasion and its effect on 
Kansas. 

5. What progress was made during the next ten years? 

6. What effect did the railroads have on immigration? 

7. When was the "boom"? Describe conditions during the 
boom. What were some of its causes? What ended it? 

8. What was the effect of this boom on Kansas? What have 
you learned from talking with persons who lived here in the "boom 
days"? 

9. Tell something of the "hard times" of the early '90's. 

10. What part did Kansas take in the Spanish-American War? 

11. Give an account of the building of the State Capitol. 

12. Give an account of the floods in Kansas. 

13. Give an account of the opening of Oklahoma. How did it 
affect Kansas? 

14. Compare Kansas to-day with Kansas as it was fifty years ago. 

15. What part did Kansas take in the World War? 

16. What is the prohibition amendment? The woman suffrage 
amendment? 



CHAPTER XV 

THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 

The Earliest Kansas Farmers. Agriculture, the lead- 
ing industry of our State, was for many years almost the 
only occupation of our people. The Indians were the first 
farmers in Kansas. The Comanches, in the western part 
of the State, were roving hunters, but the eastern Indians 
had permanent homes and tilled the soil. They were both 
hunters and farmers. A government agent in describing 
their mode of living says: "They raise annually small 
crops of corn, beans, and pumpkins. These they cultivate 
entirely with the hoe, in the simplest manner. Their crops 
are usually planted in April, and receive one dressing be- 
fore they leave their villages for the summer hunt in May." 

Agriculture Taught to the Indians. When Kansas was 
made an Indian country the National Government agreed 
in the treaties to supply the Indians with cattle, hogs, and 
farming implements, and to employ persons to teach them 
agriculture. In accordance with this agreement several 
government farms were established, and both the govern- 
ment farmers and the missionaries taught agriculture to 
the Indians. By the time Kansas was organized as a 
Territory, in 1854, there were a number of farms in the 
different reservations and at the missions, and the produce 
was such as to show that the soil of Kansas is remarkably 
fertile. 

Agriculture During Territorial Days. Most of the early 
settlers of Kansas were farmers, but during Territorial 
days the political and governmental troubles made much 
progress in farming impossible. The terrible season of 
1860 made a dreary closing for this period, and confirmed 

(142) 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



143 



in the minds of many eastern people the old idea that 
Kansas was fit only for Indians, buffaloes, and prairie dogs. 
Agriculture During the Civil War. The year following 
the drouth brought a good crop, but it also brought the 
beginning of the Civil War which absorbed the energies of 
the settlers for four years more. It was not until the close 

of the war, in 1865, that agri 
culture can be said to have 
had a real beginning in Kansas. 
But, in spite of the poverty 
and hardships of the war years, 
two things of especial signifi- 
cance were done that showed 
the interest of the pioneers in 
agriculture. During this pe- 
riod the Agricultural College 
at Manhattan was estab- 
lished, and the State Agri- 
cultural Society was formed. 
The object of the Society was 
"to promote the improvement 
of agriculture and its kindred 
arts throughout the State of 
Kansas." Under its manage- 
ment a state fair was held at 
Leavenworth in 1863, and in 
that year the Legislature appro- 
priated $1000 for the benefit of 
the Society. These events are worthy of note because 
they showed the enterprise of the people when their 
resources were small. 

Early Farming- Implements. The farming implements 
of the pioneers were few and simple. Much of the ma- 
chinery of to-day had not then been invented. Because 




Hand Planter. 



144 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



of the cost of transportation, and the lack of money 
among the settlers, even the machinery of that day 
was scarce in Kansas. The all-important implement was 
the plow. The pioneer's first crop was usually "sod 
corn." The field was prepared with a breaking plow, 

which threw up the 
sod in parallel strips 
from two to five 
inches in thickness. 
Then the farmer, 
with an ax or a 
spade and a bag of 
seed corn, walked 
back and forth 
across the field, 
prying apart or 
gashing the sod at 
regular intervals 
and dropping into 
each opening three 
or four grains of corn , 
Then he waited for 
the crop. Once the 
land was broken, it 
was, in after years, 
prepared for the 
seed with the stir- 
ring plow and the 
harrow, and plant- 
ing was done with 
a hand planter. Later the corn planter drawn by a 
team came into use. This machine required a driver, 
and another person to work the lever that dropped the 
corn. Then came the planter with the checkrower which. 




The "Old Mill" at Lawrence, 
Erected in 1863. This was a gristmill, an octa- 
gon shaped, four-story structure, having a genuine 
Holland windmill for motive power. Additional 
buildings were erected for the manufacture of 
wagons and farming implements. The mill was 
abandoned many years ago, and in 1905 it burned. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



145 



when attached to the planter, made only a driver neces- 
sary. During the last few years the lister has come 
into very general use. 

The early settlers cultivated their corn with a single- 
shovel cultivator drawn by one horse. With this culti- 




CORN Binder. 

vator it was necessary to make a trip along each side of 
every row of corn. The double-shovel cultivator soon 
came into use, but it, also, was drawn by one horse and 
cultivated but one side of the row at a time. This labor 
was greatly reduced by the invention of the cultivator 
drawn by a team and having shovels for both sides of the 
corn row. Now cultivators may be had that till two rows 
at a time. Formerly the farmer cut all of his corn by hand 
with a knife. Now he uses the riding corn binder. 

—10 



146 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Great as has been the improvement in corn machinery, 
even greater changes have come about in the machinery- 
used for the wheat crop. The earhest harvesting imple- 
ment used in Kansas was the cradle, a scythe with long 
fingers parallel with the blade to catch the grain as it was 
cut. The cradler laid the gi'ain in rows. A second man 




Heading Wheat. 



followed with a rake and gathered the wheat into small 
piles, which he tied into bundles, using some of the straw 
for bands. The next machine was the reaper, which car- 
ried two men, o;ie to drive the team and one to push ofT 
the wheat whenever enough had been cut to make a 
bundle. The reaper required four or five binders to follow 
it. It was soon improved by being made self -dumping, 
and later, self-binding. Inventions and improvements have 
followed in rapid succession, and to-day the planting and 
harvesting of wheat can be done with remarkable speed 
and efficiency. 

The many wonderful inventions in farm machinery have 
made possible in the farming of to-day a great saving of 
time and labor as compared with the farming of forty years 
ago. There are few lines in which greater progress has 
been made. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



147 



Agriculture Between 1860 and 1880. For several years 
after the Civil War the population of Kansas increased 
more rapidly than did the crops, and the country was 
kept poor. The destruction of crops by the grasshoppers 
in 1874 retarded immigration and left the people dis- 
couraged. Several good crop years followed, however, 
and confidence in the agricultural future of Kansas soon 




Gasoline Tractor. 

returned. By 1880 nearly 9,000,000 acres of land were in 
cultivation, a third of which was planted to corn and a 
fourth to wheat. The next largest acreage was in oats. 
A number of other crops were reported, including rye, 
barley, buckwheat, sorghum, cotton, hemp, tobacco, 
broom com, millet, clover, and blue grass. At that time 
not a great deal was known of the soil or climate of the 
State, and we find in this list of crops several that have 
since been found unprofitable and are no longer raised in 
any considerable quantities. 



148 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




Agriculture from 1880 to 1887. The year 1880 found 
the people of Kansas full of hope and courage, and from 
that time until the drouth of 1887 agriculture developed 
rapidly. It was a period of new ideas and new methods. 
Millions of additional acres were brought into cultivation. 
The principal crops, corn, wheat, and oats, were each 
greatly increased. Fields of timothy, clover, orchard 
grass, and blue grass were planted in the central counties, 
and even farther west. Soil that a few years before had 
been considered unfit for farming was now producing 
crops. The State was being rapidly settled, many miles 
of railroad were in operation, and the excellent crops 
did much to encourage the "boom" of 1885 to 1887. 

Agriculture from 1887 to 1893. The period of good crops 
following the dry season of 1887 lasted for five years, and 
it was a time of great activity along many lines of agri- 
cultural advancement. By 1890 nearly 16,000,000 acres 
had been brought under cultivation. This area was almost 
double the areas under cultivation ten years earlier. 

Western Kansas. Before 1890 most of the farming was 
done in the eastern and central parts of the State, the 
western part being considered poorly adapted to agricul- 
tural purposes. During the next few years, however, it 
was shown that wheat can be successfully raised clear to 
the Colorado line. The sorghum crops also proved to be 
well adapted to this section. The soil of western Kansas 
was found to be wonderfully fertile, needing only moisture 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



149 



m 





Irrigation from the Underflow. 

Upper, water pumped into the reservoir by windmills. Lower, water pumped into 

the reservoir by an engine. 

to make it produce abundantly. A more thorough under- 
standing of soil and climate has brought better methods 
of tillage, and this, together with a careful selection of 
crops, is making the yield much larger and more certain. 
Irrigation in Western Kansas. The possibilities of 
irrigation for this section of the country have long been 
given much consideration. For several years water from 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 151 

the Arkansas River was successfully used. Colorado, 
however, in developing irrigation, used so much of the 
water from the upper Arkansas that there was not a suf- 
ficient amount left for our State. Investigation resulted 
in the discovery of an underground water supply. This 
water, which is called the underflow, moves eastward from 
the Rocky Mountains through strata of gravel and sand. 
It offers to a large part of western Kansas a practically 
inexhaustible supply of water for irrigation. Wells are 
bored into this underflow and the water is pumped for 
irrigating purposes. Only a small part of western Kansas 
is under irrigation as yet, but experiments for the purpose 
of finding the best methods of utilizing the underflow are 
being carried on by individuals, by experiment stations, 
and by the State. Irrigation by pumping is bringing about 
a remarkable agricultural advancement in western Kansas. 

Alfalfa. About 1890 several new crops came into prom- 
inence in Kansas, the most important of which was alfalfa. 
Alfalfa is now grown in every county of Kansas and has 
become one of our foremost crops. Because of its long, 
penetrating roots it can be grown successfully without 
irrigation even in most of the drier parts of Kansas. As 
its many points of excellence become better known its 
acreage is constantly increasing. Kansas produces more 
alfalfa than any other state in the Union. 

Sweet clover and Soudan grass have increased so much 
in acreage in very recent years that they are rapidly be- 
coming important crops in this state. 

The Sorghum Crops. Another of the new crops was 
Kafir corn, which has also proved very valuable. This 
plant is a variety of sorghum. Other varieties had been 
raised in Kansas for many years, especially the sweet sor- 
ghum that could be used for making sugar and molasses. 
Broom corn is another sorghum crop that has been grown 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



153 



in Kansas for a long while and is raised in large quantities 
in the southwestern part of the State. In more recent 
years two more sorghums, milo and feterita, give promise 
of becoming valuable forage crops. 

Sugar Beets. During the early '80's considerable sugar 
had been made from sorghum cane, but in 1889 it was, for 
the first time, made from beets. For a number of years 
experiments were made with sugar beets in different parts 
of western Kansas. To encourage sugar-beet raising a 
bounty was offered by the State, and a good many tons 




The Beet Sugar Factory at Garden City. 



were raised and shipped to sugar factories in Colorado and 
Nebraska. In 1906 a large factory was completed at 
Garden City, and the raising of sugar beets has become 
an important industry in that part- of Kansas. Efforts are 
now being made to introduce this crop into other parts of 
the State. 

The Twenty-five Years Following 1893. Progress was 
checked in 1893 by the financial panic that extended 
throughout the country. Values dropped, and prices were 
low on everything the farmers had to sell. In addition to 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



155 



the panic, Kansas suffered a crop failure in most parts of 
the State. That was a discouraging period, but within a 
few years Kansas had recovered. From that time until 
the present there has been a steady rise in all values. Ow- 




A Kansas Wheat Field. 

ing largely to the fact that there is no longer any free land to 
be taken as homesteads, land prices have steadily risen. 
The price of land products has also greatly increased. In 
1893 corn was worth but ten to fifteen cents a bushel and 
wheat from thirty to forty cents. A comparison of these 
with present prices serves to show how great has been 
the change. 

Kansas Wheat. Kansas is now one of the leading agri- 
cultural states of the Union. It produces a greater variety 
of crops than does almost any other state, but the principal 
ones are now, as they have been from the earliest days, 
corn and wheat. In recent years alfalfa has come to be 
a close third. Wheat is our most noted crop. Kansas is 
unsurpassed in the production of this grain. Wheat is 
grown in every county in the State, but by far the greatest 



156 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




Kansas Corn. 

quantity comes from the "wheat belt," which extends 
across the middle of the State, from north to south. Most 
of the Kansas wheat is of the winter varieties commonly 
called "Turkey wheats," first brought here from southern 
Russia by the Mennonites in 1873. 

The Corn Crop. Corn was raised here by the Indians, 
and from the time of the settlement of the Territory until 
very recent years it was the leading crop and the greatest 
source of Kansas wealth. Since 1913, however, wheat has 
been the most valuable crop of the State and corn has 
had to take second place. Corn is raised in all parts of 
the State, but much the largest portion is produced in the 
eastern half. It is on this crop that the great live-stock in- 
dustries of Kansas most depend. 

The Live-stock Industry. The live-stock industry is 
one of the important interests of the State. The grain and 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



157 



forage crops, the large areas of good pasture, the plentiful 
supply of water, and the nearness to market, all combine 
to make Kansas an excellent live-stock region. The rais- 
ing and fattening of cattle and hogs constitute the chief 




Earia' Day Stock Farm. 

features of this industry, although there are a number of 
others, prominent among which is dairying. 

The early farmers had their herds and flocks, but paid 
little attention to quality or breeds. In time it was found 
that better grades were more profitable, and the early 
range cattle and the scrub stock of the pioneers have 
disappeared. 

When the Union Pacific Railroad was built the cattle- 
men of Texas began driving their cattle into Kansas in 
order to ship them to market. For many years Abilene 
was the shipping center. When the Santa Fe Railway was 



158 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



wm 


-— Ij,- ,1 






L 


A r-^^^^^zT 



Present Day Stock Farm. 



built, Wichita, being farther south, became the chief ship- 
ping point. As the country became more thickly settled 
the cattle trade was pushed farther west. Finally it 
reached Dodge City which remained the shipping center 




-r>-,v.c. 



:7.'^^m 



The Cowboy was a Familiar Figure in Kansas Forty Years Ago. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



159 



for many years. The building of railroads into the South- 
west made it unnecessary for the Texas cattlemen to drive 
their stock to a Kansas shipping point, and about 1885 
the practice was abandoned. While the trade flourished, 
the cowboy, with his boots and spurs and broad-brimmed 
hat, was a familiar figure on the plains of western Kansas; 






.?t'^"-^j 







■'ijr*.%«';. 







In Fuix Bloom. 

but as the settlers turned the grazing land into farms the 
cowboy moved farther west. 

Horticulture. Another Kansas industry is horticulture, 
the cultivation of fruits. The first orchard in Kansas was 
planted at Shawnee Mission in 1837. Very little tree 
planting was done, however, until after the Civil War, 
and even then the Kansas plains were for many years 
regarded as unfit for fruit growing. The early crops were 



160 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



small but of a very fine quality, and Kansas apples won 
the gold medal at the Centennial Exposition at Phila- 
delphia in 1876. This aroused much enthusiasm, and dur- 
ing the next few years many thousands of fruit trees were 
planted, but most of them proved worthless because the 

varieties were not adapted 
to conditions in this State. 
Long years of hard work and 
patient effort were required 
to secure the knowledge 
necessary to make a suc- 
cessful fruit state of Kansas. 
To-day there are many fruits 
grown here, but it is the Kan- 
sas apple that is famous. 
Scarcely a farm in the east- 
ern and central parts of the 
State is without its orchard, 
and there are a number of 
commercial orchards that are 
making horticulture an im- 
portant industry in Kansas. 
Farmers' Organizations. The farmers of the State have 
at different times, especially in the earlier years, formed a 
number of organizations. An early organization was the 
Order of Patrons of Husbandry, or the "Grange," a 
national movement, introduced into Kansas in 1872. Its 
general purpose was the improvement of farm life. Many 
granges were organized during the '70's. The Farmers' 
Cooperative Association, begun in 1873, and the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association in 1883, had for their general 
purposes the cooperation of the farmers in buying and 
selling and in securing lower freight rates. 




IvAMSAS Apples. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



161 



About 1888 the Farmers' Alliance, already a national 
organization, formed many local organizations in Kansas. 
The Alliance demanded a number of measures for the 
betterment of the farmers, including lower freight and 
passenger rates, and better mortgage, debtor, and tax 



















1 




1 




H 


W/B& 








1 


H 




H 


^^KF^'- 


^ 


Wfm 




^3f 




;-;.-*'V; 


WBgjmSk 






m 


K 


•^^ 


r^ 




ii 




m 


■'^t 


m 


Mjjjlll^'***^ 











One of the Crops in Central and Western Kansas. 

laws. The Farmers' Alliance was a widespread movement 
and, for a time, overshadowed all other farmers' organi- 
zations. In 1890 the People's party, or the Populist party,* 
as it came to be called, took over the political work of the 

1. The Populist party was formed as a result of the political 
unrest following the collapse of the boom. The Populist measures 
attracted widespread attention, and the party, in fusion with the 
Democrats, succeeded in electing Governor Lewelling in 1892 and 
Governor Leedy in 1896. By that time conditions in the State had 
become more settled; with returning prosperity the political agita- 
tion died down and the Populists were soon absorbed into the other 
parties. Since that time many of the measures advocated by the 
Populists have been enacted into law or are being considered by the 
people of to-day. 

—11 




State Governors, 191J 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 163 

Farmers' Alliance, and that organization gradually dis- 
appeared. The Farmers' Educational and Cooperative 
Union of Kansas is a more recent organization. 

The State Board of Agriculture. In 1872 the Agri- 
cultural Society, organized during the Civil War, was 
changed into the State Board of Agriculture. For a 
number of years this Board gave especial attention to 
gathering and distributing information concerning the re- 
sources of the State for the purpose of stimulating im- 
migration. Later it began the work of furnishing to the 
farmers information concerning methods of farming best 
adapted to Kansas conditions. These activities have been 
continued, and the Board of Agriculture has been of great 
practical value to the State. 

Work of the Agricultural College. The Agricultural 
College in its early years laid but little stress on agricul- 
tural and industrial work, but in 1873 its plan of work was 
changed and it soon began to fulfill its real mission. A few 
years later the usefulness of the College was greatly in- 
creased by the establishment of an experiment station 
where investigations are carried on in such matters as the 
testing of seeds, the introduction of new crops, the rotation 
of crops, dairy and animal husbandry, butter and cheese 
making, orchard and crop pests, stock foods, and diseases 
of live stock. Branch experiment stations have, in later 
years, been established at Hays, Garden City, Dodge City, 
Tribune, and Colby, where problems peculiar to the west- 
ern part of the State are studied. The Agricultural College 
is doing a great work in gathering information and bringing 
it to the people by means of bulletins, lectures, corre- 
spondence courses, demonstration trains, demonstration 
agents, and farmers' institutes. Kansas was one of the 
first states to hold a Farmers' Institute in connection with 
its Agricultural College. This work was begun in 1869, 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



165 



and the purpose was then, as it is to-day, to promote the 
knowledge of scientific agriculture. 

Manufactures Based on Agriculture. The agricultural 
resources of Kansas have led to the development of a 
number of manufacturing industries. One of the oldest of 
these is milling. Among the first needs of the settlers of 
the new country was a means of grinding their corn and 
wheat into meal and flour for family use. This caused the 




One of the Early Flouring Mills. 

building of small gristmills in every community. Most of 
them were built along streams and were run by water 
power, though a few of the early ones used wind power. 
In later years steam has come to be generally used. 
After the introduction of the hard wheats, the wheat crop 
came to be much more certain, the acreage increased, and 
the milling industry grew. Kansas flour is now sold in all 
the important markets of the world, and Kansas is one of 
the leading states in the milling industry. 



166 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Meat packing has held first place among the manu- 
facturing industries of Kansas for a number of years. 
Kansas City, the second greatest packing center in the 
United States, is the chief market for Kansas live stock, 
but there are several packing houses in different parts of 
the State. Creameries, canning factories, and pickling 
works represent other industries that have been developed 
to make use of our agricultural products. 

The Mineral Industries. Although Kansas is not one 
of the great mining states, it has a number of valuable 
mineral resources, the chief of which are coal, lead, zinc, 
oil, gas, salt, building stone, and gypsum. These resources 
form the basis of an important part of the industrial life 
of the State. The coal and gas have made possible a 
number of manufacturing industries. 

Coal. As early as the Territorial period it was known 
that there were coal fields in Kansas, and small amounts 
of coal were mined in Crawford and Cherokee counties. 
Immediately after the Civil War the settlers in the south- 
eastern part of the State gave much attention to the dig- 
ging of coal, some of which lay so near the surface that it 
could be uncovered with a plow. Within the next few 
years coal was found in Osage and Leavenworth counties 
and in the vicinity of Fort Scott. These places produced 
large amounts, but Crawford and Cherokee counties soon 
came to be the leading coal districts of the State. At the 
present time about nine-tenths of the Kansas output is 
mined in these two counties. The importance of the coal 
fields of Kansas lies not only in the value of the coal, but 
in the stimulation of the growth of manufactures. Many 
industries can be carried on only by means of large 
amounts of fuel to supply power. The development of a 
number of such industries in Kansas has been made pos- 
sible chiefly by the cheap and abundant supply of coal. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 167 

Lead and Zinc. Before Kansas was organized as a 
Territory lead mining was an important industry in south- 
west Missouri, but not until 1876 was it discovered that 
the lead and zinc field extends into the southeast corner 
of Kansas. Prospecting began at once and thousands of 
people were soon on the ground. Although zinc was found 
in abundance with the lead, but little attention was paid 
to it. Within a few years, however, it was found that the 
abundance of coal made the smelting of zinc profitable, 
and zinc soon assumed the leading place. For a number 
of years much more zinc than lead has been produced. 
A large amount of ore from the Missouri mines is shipped 
to the Kansas smelters, and the smelting of lead and zinc, 
but particularly of zinc, has come to be one of the most 
important of our mineral industries. The development 
of the gas field furnished a cheaper and more abundant 
fuel than coal, and much of the smelting was soon being 
done where gas could be used. In later years gas is less 
abundant and there is a tendency to return to the use 
of coal. 

Oil and Gas. Although prospecting had been done in 
earlier years, the real development of oil and gas in Kansas 
began about 1892, with the discovery of the big Kansas- 
Oklahoma field. The oil and gas area is included within 
an irregular sti^ip, forty to fifty miles wide, extending from 
Kansas City southwesterly into Oklahoma. It is fre- 
quently spoken of as the "oil and gas belt." 

By 1900 nearly every town in the gas belt had more gas 
than it knew what to do with, and various manufacturing 
enterprises, such as brick plants, zinc smelters, glass 
factories, and Portland cement mills, were soon attracted 
to these towns. A little later gas was being supplied to 
cities outside of the gas belt. Pipe lines were laid to Wel- 
lington, Wichita, Hutchinson, Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas 



168 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



City, Leavenworth, Atchison, and many of the towns 
between. After ten years of this greatly increased use of 
gas the supply became less abundant, and now it is feared 
that the supply from this field may fail at no distant date. 

In the earlier 
years the oil was all 
carried iii tank cars, 
but a system of 
pipe lines for carry- 
ing it was soon laid. 
Many refineries 
were soon estab- 
lished. The crude 
oil is used chiefly 
for fuel and for ma- 
chine oil. In the re- 
fineries it is made 
into benzine, gaso- 
line, and kerosene. 
Vaseline and paraf- 
fin are among the 
by-products. 

In 1914 oil and 
gas were discovered 
in Butler County. 
Within two years 
this field was yield- 
ing such large quan- 
tities of oil that 
the total production 
of the State was 
more than doubled. 
During the next year, 1917, more than three times as 
much oil was produced as in 1916, and Kansas had become 




Oil Well, or "Gusher, 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 



169 



the greatest oil-producing state in the Union. The out- 
put of the Butler County field is still increasing, and its 
remarkable yield will probably continue for several years. 
Salt. Salt is found in Kansas as a brine in the salt 
marshes, and as beds of rock salt lying beneath the surface. 
The marshes were known to the early hunters and settlers, 
and through the early years of statehood a little salt was 




Salt Plant at Hutchinson. 

manufactured from this brine. In the late '80's the rock 
salt beds were discovered and the salt-making industry 
was rapidly developed. The center of the salt industry is 
now, as it has been from the beginning, at Hutchinson. 
Salt is found in a large part of Kansas, but the most valu- 
able area extends across the middle of the State from north 
to south. This great bed of salt is in most places from two 
hundred and fifty to four hundred feet thick. Some salt 
is made by crushing the rock salt, but the greater portion 
is made by the evaporation of brines. The brines are 
obtained by forcing a stream of water through rock salt. 



170 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Brick. Brickmaking in Kansas dates from the early 
years. Brick clays are found in many parts of the State, 
but the industry is carried on chiefly in the eastern part 
of the State, especially in the gas belt, because of the fuel 
supply. 

Gypsum. Gypsum beds are found in the central part 
of Kansas, especially around Blue Rapids and in Saline, 




Stone Quarry. 

Dickinson, and Barber counties. Plaster of Paris, used 
chiefly for making plaster for covering wall surfaces, is 
made from gypsum. 

Portland Cement. Portland cement is a comparatively 
new product in the United States. The development of 
this industry in Kansas commenced about 1900. Portland 
cement is made from certain mixtures of rock substances. 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 171 

put through processes of grinding and heating. Its chief 
use is in making concrete, which is widely used for construc- 
tion work. There are a number of Portland cement mills 
in the gas belt. 

Glass. Gas is the most satisfactory fuel for glass- 
making, and since the gas field in Kansas was opened a 
number of glass factories have been established in the 
State. Sand of a good quality for making glass has also 
been found in southeastern Kansas. 

Agriculture the Basis of Material Progress. At present 
there are numbers of factories in Kansas, engaged in many 
different lines of work. Our industries are constantly 
growing in number and importance, and it takes all of them 
to make a well-rounded state, but it is the agricultural 
industries that form the basis of our prosperity. On these 
we must depend, and the history of agriculture in Kansas 
is, largely, the history of our material progress. 

SUMMARY 

The principal agricultural industries of the State are 
farming, stock raising and horticulture. The principal 
mineral industries are concerned with coal, lead, zinc, oil, 
gas, salt, building stone, and gypsum. The leading manu- 
facturing industries are concerned largely with agricultural 
and mineral products, and are carried on most extensively 
in the coal and gas regions. 

Drouths, which occur in all agricultural regions, have 
been most severe in Kansas in the following years: 1860, 
1869, 1874, 1887, 1893, 1913. These years have marked 
into periods what has otherwise been a steady progress in 
agriculture. 

The Agricultural Society, organized during the Civil 
War, was, in 1872, changed into the State Board of Agri- 
culture. The Agricultural College, established during the 
Civil War, began active work along agricultural lines in 
1873. There have been a number of organizations of 
farmers, most of them between 1870 and 1890. 



172 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Advancement in agriculture has been made in area 
under cultivation, selection of crops, improvements in 
machinery, better methods of tillage, and irrigation. The 
leading crops are now corn, wheat, and alfalfa. 

REFERENCES 

Bulletins and Reports of the State Board of Agriculture. 
Bulletins and Reports of the Agricultural College. 
Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 252-265. 
Blackmar, Kansas, Selected Topics. 
Old Newspaper Files. 

Historical Collections, vol. ix, pp. 33, 94, 480; vol. XI, pp. 81-211; 
vol. XII, p. 60. 

Walters, History of the Agricultural College. 

Tuttle, History of Kansas. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 232-234, 292-295. 

Publications of the University Geological Survey of Kansas. 

QUESTIONS 

1. What is the leading industry of Kansas? 

2. Discuss the Indians as farmers. 

3. What agricultural progress was made during the Territorial 
period? During the Civil War? 

4. When and why was the Agricultural Society formed? What 
has taken its place? Tell something of the work of the new organi- 
zation. 

5. Describe the early farm implements and methods of farming. 
What have you learned of these things from old settlers? 

6. What were the agricultural conditions in Kansas in 1880? 
Between 1880 and 1887? 

7. What connection does the date 1887 have with the agricul- 
tural history of the State? What conditions followed this date? 

8. What are the soil and climate conditions of western Kansas? 
Give an account of irrigation in that section. 

9. Name new crops that came into prominence about 1890, and 
tell something of each. 

10. What conditions prevailed in Kansas in the early '90's? 
During the period that followed? 

11. Discuss Kansas wheat; Kansas corn. 

12. Discuss the live-stock industry in Kansas. 

13. Give an account of the cattle trade of earlier days. 

14. What progress has horticulture made in Kansas? 



THE INDUSTRIES OF KANSAS 173 

15. What farmers' organizations have been formed? For what 
purpose? 

16. Discuss the relation of the Agricultural College to the 
farmers. 

17. Discuss the milling industry of our State. The meat-packing 
industry. 

18. Name the mineral resources of Kansas. Discuss each. 

19. What manufacturing industries have grown from the min- 
eral resources? 

20. What industries are carried on in your community? Are 
any others being considered? 



CHAPTER XVI 

TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 

The Beginning of Railroads in the United States. 

About the time Kansas was becoming the highway for 
the Santa Fe trade, experiments were being made in Eng- 
land with a new invention, the steam locomotive. By 
1825 a fair degree of success had been attained. During 
the next half dozen years experiments were carried on in 
the United States, and by 1831 several short railroad lines 
were in use. By 1850 one could travel by rail between the 
chief cities of the East and as far west as St. Louis, but a 
decade more passed before any railroads were built in 
Kansas. 

Kansas Settlers Desire Railroads. The agitation for 
railroads in this part of the country began even before the 
organization of the Kansas Territory. The settlers knew 
the difficulty of building up the State without the aid of 
the railway. They had crept across the prairies in their 
canvas-covered wagons, or had toiled up the shallow, slug- 
gish waterways, and they foresaw that they would be 
unable to market their crops or their stock because of the 
lack of adequate means of transportation. Their great 
desire for railroads is made evident by the large number 
of railway charters granted to different companies by 
the Territorial Legislatures. On account of the immense 
cost of railroad construction, however, work was slow to 
begin. 

Early Stage Lines. While the West was waiting for its 
railroads a number of stage routes for carrying mail and 
passengers were established. The first one was over the 
Santa Fe Trail. Stages made the trip from Kansas City 

(174) 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 



175 



to Santa Fe in about fifteen days. For many years stage 
lines were operated between the different towns of the 
Territory. Later, lines were established to Denver, to 
Salt Lake, and even to San Francisco. 

The Pony Express, 1859-'61. The trip to San Francisco, 
a distance of about 2000 miles, occupied nearly a month, and 




Stage Coach 

the people of California were very anxious that a quicker 
way of getting their mails be devised. To meet this de- 
mand the Pony Express was established in 1859. The line 
extended from St. Joseph to San Francisco, a long, lonely 
way across plains and deserts and over mountains, some- 
times in a straight line but often winding through dark 
canons or along the edge of mountain precipices. The 
Pony Express required one hundred and ninety stations, 
nearly five hundred horses, and eighty riders. The sta- 
tions averaged about ten miles apart. The horses were 
selected for their speed and endurance, and the distance 



176 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

from one station to another was covered in the shortest 
possible time. At each station a fresh horse was waiting, 
and the only delay was in changing the mail pouch from 
one horse to another. The pouch contained only letters, 
and they were written on the thinnest of paper to avoid 
surplus weight. Five dollars was charged for the carrying 
of each letter. The first trip was made in ten days, the 
shortest one in seven days and seventeen hours. Many 
stories of adventure are related of the two years in which 
the Pony Express was in operation. In 1861 a telegraph 
line was constructed across the continent, which made it 
possible to flash news from ocean to ocean in a few seconds, 
and the Pony Express went out of existence. 

The First Railroad in Kansas, 1860. By this time rail- 
road building had begun in Kansas. The first road was 
laid in the spring of 1860, while Kansas was still a Territory, 
between Elwood, opposite St. Joseph, Missouri, and 
Marys ville. When the first five miles of rail had been 
laid, a little old locomotive that had done service on many 
eastern roads was brought into the State and a celebration 
was held in honor of the first trip. Though the engine was 
old and drew only a few flat cars over the rough and 
crooked track, it was an important event, for it marked 
the beginning of railroad building in Kansas. 

The Union Pacific Railroad, 1862-'69. There had long 
been talk of a railroad to the Pacific coast, and in 1862, 
while the Civil War was still in progress. Congress granted 
a charter for such a line. This was the beginning of the 
Union Pacific Railroad. It was to be built as soon as 
possible by working from both ends. From the east the 
road was to pass through Nebraska and on toward Salt 
Lake, and from the west it was to be built from San Fran- 
cisco eastward until the two lines met. This road did not 
pass through Kansas, but while it was being constructed 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 



177 



a line that later became a part of the Union Pacific ^ system 
was built from Kansas City westward, along the Kansas 
River, through Manhattan, Junction City, and Salina, 
and on west through Denver to join the main line at 
Cheyenne.2 




The Indian, the Soldier, and the Builder. 

During the seven years spent in building this railroad 
many difficulties were met and conquered. Most of the 
country along the line was without timber, fuel, or any of 
the necessary supplies. The materials for construction 
were brought up the Missouri River by steamboat to 
Kansas City. From this point they were hauled by train 
over the new railroad as far as it was completed. The 
Indians opposed the work because it meant the westward 
movement of civilization and the settling of their hunting 
grounds. They were a constant source of danger to the 

1. This line was at first called the Kansas Pacific. 

2. See map, page 28. 

—12 



178 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




Early Days on the Union Pacific. 

whole frontier, but especially to the railroad builders. The 
men usually went to their work armed, and stacked their 
guns ready for instant use. Sometimes it was even neces- 
sary to guard the men with troops while they worked. 
History gives many accounts of Indian massacres com- 
mitted along the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The 
entire line was finished in 1869. 

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Completed in 1872. 
In the meantime other lines had been chartered through 
Kansas, the principal one being the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe. This railroad was begun at Topeka in 1868 
and completed to the western boundary of the State in 
a little more than four years. The line between Topeka 
and Atchison was also completed within this period. The 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe has since been extended 
westward to the coast and eastward to Chicago, and many 
branches have been added. This railroad follows the 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 



179 




The "Iron Trail" Across the Prairies. 



general direction of the Santa Ve Trail across the eastern 
half of the State. Near Great Bend the track runs on the 
exact course of the old highway, and from this point on 
through the rest of the State they are never far apart and 
often coincide. When, in 1872, the "Santa Fe," as it is 
generally called, was completed through Kansas, the last 
caravan of wagons had wound its way over the old Trail. 
The trains of cars rushing over the new iron trail marked 
another advance in the westward march of civilization. 

Railroad Companies Receive Land Grants. The im- 
mense cost of railroad construction, the sparsely settled 
country, and the limited amount of traffic, made the early 
building of railroads a risky undertaking. But railroads 
were needed in order to unite the West to the East as well 



180 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

as for the development of the new country, and in order 
to encourage their building Congress adopted the policy 
of making liberal land grants to railroad companies. The 
Union Pacific through Kansas was given land amounting 
to a strip ten miles wide on each side of its line. Several 
other companies, including the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe, received grants amounting to five miles on each side. 
This policy brought about the rapid building of railroads, 
but when the State became fairly well supplied the land 
grants were discontinued. Much of the land was later 
forfeited by the companies through failure to meet the 
conditions of their grants. 

Railroad Companies Interested in Settlement. When 
the early railroads were first built across Kansas there 
were but few people living in the western part of the State. 
Since population was necessary to the prosperity of the 
railroad companies, these companies gave much attention 
to the matter of increasing the settlements along their 
lines. They sent land agents throughout the United States 
and Europe, they invited people of prominence to join 
excursions through Kansas, and they filled the newspapers 
with descriptions of the great West. Kansas was widely 
and favorably advertised. Interest was everywhere 
aroused and many people were attracted to the State. 

Mennonite Settlements. The railroad companies suc- 
ceeded in planting a number of colonies of foreigners on 
their lands. Among them were the settlements of Men- 
nonites in Reno, Harvey, Marion, and McPherson coun- 
ties. These people came from Russia for religious freedom. 
"They came simultaneously with the grasshoppers but 
outstayed them." The first party, in 1874, numbered 
1900 people, and many more followed rapidly until there 
are now many thousands of these people in Kansas. They 
brought a considerable amount of money with them and 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 181 

were able to purchase their land. The Mennonites were 
farmers, a thrifty, industrious people who have contributed 
much toward making Kansas a great agricultural State. 

Swedish Settlements. Swedes had been coming to 
Kansas since Territorial days. In 1871 the Union Pacific 
sold a large tract of land in Saline County for a Swedish 
settlement. This settlement has increased and others 
have been formed until there are now many people of this 
nationality in Kansas. Lindsborg, almost entirely Swedish, 
is their religious and social center. It is noted for its 
school of music. Most of these people came in poverty, 
but they have converted the bare prairies into fine agri- 
cultural districts and have become prosperous citizens. 
They are an industrious, intelligent, progressive, and law- 
abiding people. 

Other colonies have settled in various parts of the State; 
among these, German-Russians in Russell, Rush, and 
Ellis counties, Scotch in Republic County, English in 
Clay County, and Bohemians in Ellsworth County. There 
are, at present, people of many nationalities in Kansas. 

Relation of Railroads to State's Industries. Not only 
did the early building of railroads do much to bring about 
the rapid settlement of Kansas, but it hastened the de- 
velopment of practically all of the State's industries. For 
instance, the railroads have made it possible for the farmer 
to market his live stock and his crops. Out of these better 
market facilities have grown the great meat-packing cen- 
ters and the flouring mills. On the other hand, the growth 
of settlements and industries has brought prosperity to 
the railroads and they have increased in wealth, equip- 
ment, and mileage. Thus the relation between the rail- 
roads and the State's progress is very close. 

There are at present nearly 10,000 miles of railroad in 
Kansas, most of it belonging to the four great companies, 



182 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




A MODRRN LOCOMOTIVB AND ONE OP 1880. 



the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Missouri Pacific, 
the Union Pacific, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. 
Railroad Regulation. There has been but Uttle railroad 
building in Kansas for a number of years for the State is 
now fairly well supplied. Almost every county now has 
one or more railroads. In the earlier years the important 
thing was to get the railroads. Having secured them, the 
matter of chief concern has been to regulate them. During 
the late '70's much dissatisfaction arose because railroad 
rates were high, and several attempts were made to place 
the matter of rate regulation under the control of the State. 
In 1883 a law was passed creating a Railroad Commission 
of three members. This Commission was given a great 
deal of power, especially in regard to revising and estab- 
lishing rates, and in adjusting disputes between the rail- 
roads and their patrons. Within a few years, through the 
efforts of the Commission together with the increase in 
business resulting from a growing population, rates were 
reduced almost half. Since its work proved to be of great 
service to the people the Commission was continued. In 
1911 the Railroad Commission became the Public Utilities 
Commission, which was given control over all such cor- 
porations as railroads, electric lines, and telegraph and 
telephone systems, in matters that are of interest only to 
this particular State. In matters that concern more than 
one state the Interstate Commerce Commission may act. 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 183 

When the United States entered the World War it 
became evident that one of the big problems to be met 
was that of transportation, within our own country, of 
men and supplies. The solution decided upon was that 
of government control of the railroads, which was secured 
by placing a director-general in charge of all the railroads 
of the United States. It was provided that this control 
might be continued for a period of twenty-one months 
after the close of the war. 

Interurban Lines. Within recent years our means of 
transportation have been increased by the building of 
electric railway lines. They usually extend from one city 
to another, and are therefore called interurban lines. 
Most of those already built are in the southeastern part 
of the State. Plans were under way for a number of ad- 
ditional lines, but the coming of the War checked prac- 
tically all of this work. The return of normal conditions 
will doubtless see a large increase in interurban mileage. 

Road Improvement. The building c( railroads did not 
make wagon roads less important, but more so, for there 
must be plenty of good roads if the people are to make 
full use of the railroads. The development of roads in 
this State has been going forward since the earliest days. 
Time, money, and effort are required to build roads in a 
new country, and during the years that Kansas has been 
engaged in this great task many different plans have been 
tried out and many road laws have been passed from time 
to time, but it was not until after Congress passed an act 
providing federal aid in road making that a unified plan 
for the whole State became a fact. This act was passed in 
1916, and Kansas accepted its provisions in 1917. Since 
that time remarkable progress has been made. A system 
of State highways forming a network over the entire State 
has been selected, thousands of miles of which are "federal- 



184 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

aid roads"; a complete system of connecting county roads 
has been designated; information has been compiled and 
distributed concerning the making of different kinds of 
roads, as earth, oiled earth, gravel, water-bound macadam, 
bituminous macadam, asphaltic concrete, concrete, and 
brick; bridge and culvert building have been standardized; 
and many miles of hard-surfaced roads have already been 
built or are in process of construction. Road building in 
Kansas is now progressing at a rate far beyond that of 
any time in the past. 

Motor Truck Service. Much of the attention now 
being given to road improvement has been brought about 
by the rapidly increasing use of the automobile. During 
the earlier years of the automobile it was used chiefly for 
the transportation of passengers, but the development of 
the motor truck is making it an important factor in freight 
transportation. Many lines of motor truck service already 
have been established in the State, but on account of the 
uncertain condition of most of the roads the service is 
necessarily irregular. With the building of hard-surfaced 
roads the motor truck will no doubt soon become a fully 
established part of our transportation system. 

SUMMARY 

Railroad construction was begun in the United States 
about 1830. By 1850 railroads reached as far west as 
St. Louis. Many stage lines were established in early 
Kansas. The first railroad was built in Kansas in 1860; 
the line extended from Elwood to Marysville. The Union 
Pacific was built through Kansas between 1862 and 1869. 
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railv/ay was completed 
in 1872. In the meantime a number of other roads were 
built. The railroads received large grants of land, which 
they sold to settlers, thereby raising money and increasing 
business. They advertised Kansas widely. The people 



TRANSPORTATION IN KANSAS 185 

soon found it necessary to regulate the railroads, and 
created for this purpose the Railroad Commission, now 
the Public Utilities Commission. Besides the various 
railroad systems of the State, there are many interurban 
lines and a rapidly growing motor truck service. Great 
progress in road improvement is being made. 

REFERENCES 

Arnold, Civics and Citizenship, pp. 97-108. 

Maps and Folders, published by the railroad companies. 

Blackmar, Kansas, vol. ll, pp. 533-548. 

Elson, History of the United States, pp. 475, 618, 818. 

Prentis, History of Kansas, pp. 168-170, 184-186, 191-194. 

Historical Collections, vol. viii, p. 384; vol. xi, p. 529; vol. xil, 
pp. 37, 47, 383; vol. ix, p. 467; vol. vi, p. 357. 

Reports of Interstate Commerce Commission and Public Utilities 
Commission. 

Andreas, History of Kansas, pp. 241-252. 

Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail. 

Root and Connelley, The Overland Stage Route to California. 

Spring, Kansas, pp. 306-313. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Give an account of the beginning of railway transportation 
in the United States. What were the conditions by 1850? 

2. What were the early methods of travel in Kansas? 

3. Why were the early settlers anxious for railroads? What 
did they do to secure railroads? 

4. Discuss the stage lines; the Pony Express. 

5. When and where was the first railroad built in Kansas? 

6. Tell something of the building of the main line of the Union 
Pacific. 

7. Give an account of the building of the Union Pacific through 
Kansas. What were some of the difficulties that had to be overcome? 

8. When was the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe built? Give its 
route. 

9. Name other railroads in Kansas. 

10. Why were land grants made to the railroad companies? How 
did the railroad companies use this land? 

11. Why did the railroad companies advertise Kansas? What 
was the effect on the State? 

12. Locate settlements of foreigners in Kansas. 



186 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

13. Show why there is a close relation between the people and 
the railroads. 

14. Why has regulation of the railroads been found necessary? 
How has it been accomplished? 

15. What is, approximately, the railroad mileage of the State? 

16. What lines of railroad in your community? 

17. Are there any interurban lines near you? Are any such lines 
being discussed? 

18. What motor truck service is being carried on in your com- 
munity? 

19. Locate the state highways and the county roads of your 
county. 

20. Describe recent improvement of roads in your community. 



CHAPTER XVII 

EDUCATION IN KANSAS 

The First Schools in Kansas. The first schools in 
Kansas were the mission schools for the Indians. When 
Kansas was organized as a Territory and the white settlers 
began to make their homes here, the education of their 
children became one of their first interests. In the sum- 
mer of 1855 the first Territorial Legislature passed a law 
providing for the establishment of common schools, and 
thus laid the foundation for our public school system. 

Early Territorial Schools. In January of 1855, when 
the town of Lawrence was only six months old, a school 
was opened in the back of Dr. Charles Robinson's office. 
A term of school was held in Lawrence every winter there- 
after. Other towns also maintained schools, as did a few 
of the country communities, but the settlers' claims were 
so widely scattered and the dangers during the days of 
raids and warfare were so great that country schools were 
almost an impossibility during the first few years. 

Subscription Schools. Many of the earlier schools were 
"subscription schools," which means that they were not 
public schools supported by a tax levy, but that the 
teacher's pay came from a tuition charged each pupil who 
attended. 

Beginning of Our School System. By 1859, when 
Territorial conditions had become more settled, the Legis- 
lature turned its attention to the matter of education and 
passed a set of school laws that has served ever since as 
the basis of our system of education. While Kansas was 
still a Territory, a few districts were organized and school- 
houses built, and the minimum school term was made 

three months. 

(187) 



188 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




Sod Schoolhoush. 

Schools After the Civil War. Little educational prog- 
ress was made during the Civil War, but when peace 
had come to Kansas and the people could turn their minds 
to the needs of their homes and communities, schoolhouses 
built of legs or sod sprang up everywhere, for the pioneers 
had brought with them a desire to educate their children. 
Sometimes the settlers did not even wait to organize their 
district, but gathered together and began work on their 
schoolhouse. Where there was a timber supply they made 
their buildings of logs. On the prairie they built of sod. 
With the breaking plow they sliced out long pieces of sod 
from two to four inches thick and twelve to fourteen 
inches wide, and these, mortared with soft mud, were used 
like brick to build the walls. The roof was sometimes of 
lumber, but often the sod was laid over a framework of 
brush and poles. Whether the building was of logs or of sod, 
the floor was usually of dirt sprinkled and packed until it 
was hard and smooth. As the country grew in population 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 



189 




Interior of Sod Srnooi.HorsB. 



and resources these buildings were replaced by others made 
of lumber, brick, or stone, but the little log and sod school- 
houses served the pioneers well. They were used not only 
for school purposes, but for religious services and for social 
gatherings, spelling schools, singing schools, and literary 
societies. The schoolhouses were the social centers in 
early Kansas. 

The Work of the Pioneer Schools. Although the mini- 
mum term was three months, it was usually made a little 
longer for the benefit of the smaller children. As a rule 
the older boys and girls went to school only during the 
winter months when they could be spared from the farms. 
The work in the schools in those days consisted chiefly of 
the three R's, "readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic." In most 



190 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



cases, the pupils started each year at the beginning of their 
books and worked as far as they could. This was con- 
tinued winter after winter until the girls and boys were 
eighteen to twenty-one years of age, or even older. There 
was no such thing as graduating from the country schools; 
the pupils attended until they were ready to quit. Since 
there were almost no high schools in the State, few of the 
children received more than a common school education, 
and most of the teachers had no more than that. 




A Present Day Rural School. 



Changes in the District Schools. Conditions are quite 
different in the country schools to-day. Many of them 
have terms of eight months, a few have nine months, while 
seven months is the shortest term permitted by the State. 
The truancy law requires attendance during the full term, 
whatever its length. The sod and log schoolhouses of 
pioneer days were, in time, replaced by neat little box-like 
buildings usually constructed of wood, though occasionally 
of brick or stone, and these in turn are now rapidly dis- 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 191 

appearing and their places are being taken by buildings 
that are larger, more beautiful, more comfortable, and 
far better adapted to educational needs. The qualifica- 
tions of teachers have been raised. In earlier days, when 
there were but few high schools, many teachers had no 
education beyond what they had obtained in the country 
schools, but to-day ninety per cent of the rural teachers 
of the State are high-school graduates, and this per cent is 
steadily increasing. The work of the rural schools has 
expanded far beyond the "three R's." In addition to the 



I^^ 


SSSPil!^ 


gaBiiF 


...y la 


fjSfjjk 


^BmBSmmm 


K^^^^ 


* 



A Consolidated School. 

regular work it now includes as much as time will permit 
of such subjects as music, manual training, agriculture, 
and household arts. The rural schools have been re- 
ceiving a great deal of attention in recent years and are 
very rapidly being improved. Several hundred of them 
have already met the requirements laid down by the State 
for a "standard" school, and a few for a "superior" 
school, and these lists are constantly growing. 

Consolidated Schools. Consolidation is generally looked 
upon as a method of bettering conditions in the rural 
schools. A consolidated district is one formed by the 



•* 


nHKpa^H ^r ~~~T- — - 


m- :» 


^ 


,i%J** *^* * • 


flf AiiH-6 




i~y^' '.J*-^-", ■ , jfeisi^gs- 


^ ^^^ ' ''' 



A High-school Class in Domestic Science. 



^jumiigimn 


HHHHii^''"^'' ''^"'''~ ''^^' 


JJJp 


iii^B— BPmi 




^^^^r ^ vS "* ~^^^Mi^^yi^Hd^L, ^Bb Mpwr 


^^^^BS , „^HIk. S^H 



A High-school Class in Manual Training. 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 



193 










f"W!i 



A County High Schoou 

union of several districts. The little district schoolhouses 
are replaced by a larger building, usually centrally located, 
to which the children are conveyed in wagons provided for 
that purpose. With its larger valuation the consolidated 
district can have plenty of teachers and equipment and 
can offer a gi*eater variety of subjects. There are a number 
of consolidated schools in the State now, and the plan is 
being considered in many communities. The good roads 
movement will no doubt do much to encourage consoli- 
dation. 

Growth of the High School. A number of years passed 
before there were many high schools in Kansas. Four 
schools constituted the list of accredited high schools of 
the State as published in 1876. By 1886 the number had 
grown to thirty-six, and by 1896 it had reached seventy- 

—13 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 



19f 



seven. From that time on the number increased very 
rapidly until in 1918 there were six hundred thirty ac- 
credited high schools in the State, one hundred twenty - 
one of which were rural high schools. Until about 1905 
the standard for an accredited high school was a course of 
only three years. Since that time it has been four years. 




Two-teacher Rural School. 



In the early years the real purpose of the high school was 
considered to be that of preparing the pupils for college, 
and the courses of study included only such subjects as 
were suited to that purpose. The present idea is that 
this is only one of the purposes of the high school, the 
other being that of supplying to the great mass of pupils, 
who will never go to college, the best possible preparation 
for living. To accomplish this latter purpose courses of 
study have been broadened to include such work as music, 
manual training, agriculture, commercial work, household 
arts, teacher training, and industrial training. Until very 
recent years high schools were established only in towns 
and cities, but now they are to be found in consolidated 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 



197 



districts, and in rural districts, sometimes in small towns 
in those districts and sometimes in communities that are 
entirely rural. There is not now a county in the State 
that is without a four-year accredited high school. 

Institutions of Higher Learning. The deep interest of 
the Kansas settlers in matters of education is nowhere 






mil 



Rural High School. 

more apparent than in their early establishment of institu- 
tions of higher learning. In the first Constitution, made 
in 1855, one reads, "The General Assembly may take 
measures for the establishment of a university" ; and again, 
" Provisions may be made by law for the support of normal 
schools." These matters were not lost sight of, and almost 
immediately after the admission of Kansas as a state this 
ambition found expression in the establishment of the 
Normal School, the Agricultural College, and the Univer- 
sity. 

The Normal Schools. The State Normal School at 
Emporia opened in 1865 with eighteen students enrolled. 
It used the upper floor of the new schoolhouse that had 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 



199 



just been built for Emporia which was then but a small 
town. There was no furniture, and the equipment con- 
sisted of a Bible and a dictionary. Seats were borrowed 
from a neighboring church. But the Normal soon had a 
building of its own. In later years this has been three 
times replaced by a larger and better one and many new 
buildings have been added. 

The Normal School is based on the principle that it is 
not only necessary to know what to teach but how to teach ; 
that there are new discoveries and advances in methods of 




ScHooLHOiisE Used as a Social Center. 

teaching as there are in other lines, such as medicine or 
farming. The purpose of the Normal School is to traih 
teachers. 

When our State Normal School was established there 
were not more than a dozen other such schools in the 
United States and none that prepared teachers for high- 
school positions. To-day there are many normal schools, 
but none larger than ours or more amply equipped to pre- 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 201 

pare teachers for all lines of teaching. The course of study, 
reaching from the kindergarten to the completion of a 
college course, places our State Normal School in the front 
rank of institutions of its kind. 

In 1901 the Western Branch State Normal School was 
established at Hays, and in 1903 another branch, the 
Manual Training Normal School, was opened at Pittsburg. 
Each of these has since been made an independent school. 
The one at Hays is now known as the Fort Hays Kansas 
Normal School. 

The Agricultural College. In 1862 Congress passed an 
act providing for land grants to states for the purpose of 
establishing colleges of agriculture and mechanic arts. 
Kansas was among the first states to accept the endow- 
ment, and the next year Bluemont Central College, a 
Methodist school at Manhattan, was given to the State 
and made the State Agricultural College. During the 
first ten years the growth of the Agi'icultural College was 
very slow. This was chiefly due to the fact that industrial 
education was something new and did not receive much 
attention. The College gave only a little work in agricul- 
ture or manual training, and what was given was merely 
supplementary. It was doing little to educate toward the 
farm or the workshop. In 1873 the school was reorganized. 
Farmers began to be interested in it and to discuss its pos- 
sibilities. Such subjects as Latin and Greek were dropped 
and agriculture, home ecomomics, and mechanic arts were 
emphasized. Workshops, print shops, kitchen and sewing 
rooms, agi'icultural implements, and live stock, were pro- 
vided. This was a very advanced step at that time and 
it aroused some opposition. It was called the "new- 
fangled" education, and farmers who read and studied 
methods of farming were often sneered at as "book 
farmers." But in time people began to view these things 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 203 

in a different light. It has now come to be generally 
recognized that successful farming requires a broader and 
more varied knowledge than almost any other business, 
and that in an agricultural state like ours nothing is 
more important than the training of its citizens for home 
and farm life. The Agricultural College now occupies the 
position of leadership in the agricultural and industrial in- 
terests of the State, and is one of the largest agricultural 
colleges in the United States. 

The University. The University of Kansas was estab- 
lished by an act of the Legislature of 1864, and its object, 
as given by this act, is to "provide the inhabitants of the 
State with means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the 
various branches of literature, science, and the arts." 
The university idea is hundreds of years old, and so there 
was nothing new in the thought of a university in Kansas. 
The University of Kansas was built on the flat-topped 
hill in Lawrence where the first party of free-state settlers 
pitched their tents. It was opened in 1866 with forty 
students and three professors. To-day there are twenty 
great buildings on Mount Oread. The central department 
of the University is the college, which provides a liberal 
education in languages, sciences, mathematics, history, 
and kindred subjects. Besides the college there are schools 
of en^neering, of fine arts, of law, of pharmacy, of medi- 
cine, and of education. Ours now ranks high among the 
universities of the United States. 

Control of State Schools. Altogether, the University, 
the Agricultural College, and the Normal Schools employ 
about seven hundred instructors and enroll between eight 
and nine thousand students each year. The total annual 
cost to the people of Kansas is nearly two million dollare. 
These schools, together with the School for the Blind at 
Kansas City, and the School for the Deaf at Olathe, 



204 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

were, in 1913, placed under the management of a board 
of three members called the Board of Administration. 
In 1917 the Board of Administration was reorganized and 
the penal and the charitable institutions of the State were 
placed under its control. 

Denominational Colleges. In addition to the State 
institutions Kansas has more than thirty denominational 
colleges. A few of the largest of these are Baker University 
at Baldwin, Washburn College at Topeka, Ottawa Uni- 
versity at Ottawa, Friends University at Wichita, the 
Southwestern University at Winfield, and the College of 
Emporia. There are also a number of business colleges 
and a few independent schools. 

Other Provisions for Education. Besides all the schools 
where the people of Kansas may obtain an education, 
every effort is being made to provide other educational 
opportunities by means of extension work, public and 
traveling libraries, and night schools . The State Normal 
School, the Agricultural College, and the University all 
do extension work, which means that they offer corre- 
spondence courses, send out lecturers, and in various other 
ways carry their work to those who can not attend the 
schools. Many communities maintain free public libraries 
and the State maintains a traveling library.^ Night 
schools are now provided in several of our larger cities. 
An education is now possible to any one who really 
wants it. 

1. The traveling library system in Kansas was adopted in 1900 
and is now under state control through a Commission which main- 
tains an office in the capitol at Topeka. These traveling libraries 
are made up of collections of fifty books each, selected in accordance 
with the wishes of the applicant. They are sent to schools, clubs, 
granges, and similar organizations without charge other than a fee 
of two dollars to cover the cost of transportation. The libraries may 
be retained six months, or exchanged at any time for others. 



EDUCATION IN KANSAS 205 

All of this has been brought about within little more 
than a half century, and though there is much yet to be 
done the people of Kansas have every reason to be proud 
of what they have accomplished in the interests of edu- 
cation. 

SUMMARY 

Education in Kansas began with the mission schools 
and was one of the first interests in Territorial days. There 
were many subscription schools before district schools 
were organized. The organization of districts began in 
the Territorial period and kept pace with settlement. 
The University, the Normal School and the Agricultural 
College were established during the Civil War. Since that 
time many denominational colleges have been established, 
the high school has been developed, and many other 
means of education have been provided. Great educa- 
tional progress has been made. 

REFERENCES 

Prentis, History of Kansas, chap. xxxv. 

Historical Collections, vol. vi, pp. 70, 114; vol. vii, pp. 167, 502; 
Tol. XI, p. 424; vol. xil, pp. 69, 77, 195. 
Catalogues of the State Schools. 
Reports of State Department of Education. 
Statutes of Kansas. 
Blackmar, Kansas, Selected Topics. 

Andreas, History of Kansas, General and County Histories. 
Spring, Kansas, pp. 319-325. 

QUESTIONS 

1. What were the mission schools? 

2. When did the settlers become interested in education? 

3. What was done in education during the Territorial period? 

4. What were subscription schools? 

5. Describe the early schoolhouses. Compare them with the 
buildings of to-day. 

6. How did work in the early schools differ from work in the 
schools of to-day? 



206 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

7. Give the history of the growth of the high school. 

8. Give an account of the establishment of the State Normal 
School; its growth; its purpose. What other normal schools do we 
now have? 

9. When and where was the Agricultural College established? 
Give an account of its growth; its work to-day. 

10. What is the purpose of a university? When and where was 
the University of Kansas established? 

11. What is the present enrollment and cost of the State schools? 

12. What is a denominational college? Name some of the most 
important of the denominational colleges in Kansas. 

13. What other opportunities for education have been provided? 



CHAPTER XVIII 

KANSAS MEMORIALS 

Significance of Kansas History. Kansas is a compara- 
tively new State. Nearly all of its history has been made 
within little more than a century, and most of it within 
the sixty years of its period of settlement. Few states, 
however, have had a more eventful history. From its 
beginning Kansas has been a place of action. The pages 
of its history are filled with wars and battles, with stirring 
adventure, and with deeds of courage and daring. Nearly 
every part of the State has its places of historic interest, 
and the names of men and women who should be honored 
for good and brave deeds would make a long list. 

The people of Kansas are proud of the history of their 
State and desire to preserve it. To that end they have 
taken steps to save a number of the old landmarks, they 
have built many monuments, and have gathered and kept 
many records of the past. 

Pawnee Rock. One of the early landmarks was Pawnee 
Rock on the old Santa Fe Trail, in what is now Barton 
County. This giant rock standing on the level plain was 
a noted spot, for the Trail ran near its base, and while it 
provided a place of rest and safety for many a weary 
traveler, it also afforded a retreat from which the Indians 
could dash down upon the traders. In later years much 
of the rock was torn away for building purposes and this 
historic old landmark was rapidly disappearing. ' The 
Woman's Kansas Day Club resolved to save this historic 
spot, and secured a deed for the Rock and five acres of 
ground surrounding it. On Kansas Day, 1909, the women 
presented this deed to the State. The transfer was made 
with the condition that the State spend $3000 for im- 

(207) 




"Of all the states, but three will live in story; 
Old Massachusetts with her Plymouth Rock, 
And Old Virginia with her noble stock. 
And Sunny Kansas with her woes and glory." 

^Eugene F. Ware. 



KANSAS MEMORIALS 



209 




Present View of Pawnee Rock. 

provements. This was done and the preservation of 
Pawnee Rock is now assured. 

The Pike Memorial. The exact site of the Pawnee 
Indian village visited by Lieutenant Pike in 1806 was not 
known with certainty for many years, but was finally 
found to be in Republic County. It was located through 
the discovery of rows of circular ridges supposed to have 
been the embankments of the Indian lodges.^ An iron 
fence now incloses about six acres of the ground, on which 
the rings are still plainly visible, and a granite shaft stands 
where the Stars and Stripes first floated over Kansas. 
The monument bears the inscription: "Erected by the 
State of Kansas, 1901, to mark the site of the Pawnee 
Republic where Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike caused the 
Spanish flag to be lowered and the flag of the United 
States to be raised, September 29, 1806." 

1. The place was discovered in 1875 by Mrs. Elizabeth A. John- 
son, who later purchased the land and presented it to the State. 

—14 



210 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Marking of the Santa Fe Trail. The Santa Fe Trail, 
which was associated with most of the early history of Kan- 
sas, was known throughout the country, but with the 
settlement of the State the old highway was growing 

dim; the ruts were filling in, 
grass was covering the broad 
track, and with the passing of 
those who knew it in the old 
days the true route was in danger 
of being forgotten. To prevent 
this, the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution began, in the 
opening years of the present cen- 
tury, to agitate the question of 
marking the line of the Trail 
through the State. In 1905 the 
Legislature appropriated $1000 
"for procuring suitable monu- 
ments for this purpose." Kan- 
sas Day of 1906 was designated 
" Trail Day" in the public schools, 
and the children were invited to 
contribute a penny each toward 
the fund. They gave $584.40. 
Eighty-nine markers were purchased. Various local or- 
ganizations added nine more, making a total of ninety- 
eight markers. They were placed along the Trail from 
the eastern to the western end of the State. They bear 
the inscription, "Santa Fe Trail 1822-1872. Marked by 
the Daughters of the American Revolution and the State 
of Kansas, 1906." A few of the markers bear special in- 
scriptions in addition to this. The one at Council Grove 
has on the other side, "On this spot, August 10, 1825, the 




Where the Stars and Stripes 
First Floated over Kansas. 



KANSAS MEMORIALS 



211 





■■1^'"'* 


■H 




OSACe INDIANS 

ro«TMt«ici(iof*Ar8fTic 

S*«TA FE TRAIL 




■■ ^B| 









Santa Fe Trail Marker, with 
Local Inscription. 



treaty was made with the 

Osage Indians for the right 

of way of the Santa Fe Trail." 
Pawnee Capitol. The old 

stone building erected at 

Pawnee for the capitol of 

Kansas still stands on the Fort 

Riley Reservation. In 1907 a 

subscription fund was raised 

and the money used to repair 

and restore the old building 

so that it will stand for many 

years as a relic of our early 

history. 

John Brown's Battle Field. 

The site of John Brown's 

battle field at Osawatomie 

was purchased by the Woman's Relief Corps of Kansas 

and presented to the State in 1909. 

Statues in the Hall of Fame. Each State is permitted 

to place two statues in the Hall of Fame in the National 

Capitol at Washington. In 1905 one of the Kansas 

places was filled with a statue 
of John J. Ingalls, who was 
a Senator from this State 
from 1873 to 1891. In 1913 
the other place was filled 
with a statue of George W. 
Click, who was Governor 
of Kansas from 1883 to 1885. 
Other Monuments. A 
number of monuments have 
been erected in various parts 
SA^.TA Fe tra.i. Marker. ^f the State in commemora- 




212 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 




OiD Pawnee Capitol on the Fort Riley Military Reservation. 

tion of noted persons or events. The John Brown monument 
at Osawatomie was dedicated on August 30, 1877. It bears 
two inscriptions: "In commemoration of those who, on 
the 30th of August, 1856, gave up their lives at the battle 
of Osawatomie in defense of freedom," and, "This inscrip- 
tion is also in commemoration of the herc«ism of Captain 
John Brown, who commanded at the battle of Osawatomie, 
August 30, 1856; who died and conquered American slav- 
ery on the scafl[old at Charlestown, Virginia, December 
2, 1859." 

A splendid monument has been erected in Linn County 
to mark the graves of the victims of the Marais des Cygnes 
massacre. 

At Lawrence tkere is a monument bearing this inscrip- 
tion : " Dedicated to the memory of the one hundred and 



KANSAS MEMORIALS 



213 




fifty citizens who, defenseless, fell victims 
to the inhuman ferocity of border guerril- 
las, led by the infamous Quantrill in his 
raid upon Lawrence, August 21, 1863. 
Erected May 30, 1895." 
' A monument has been raised near 
Junction City in honor of the expedition 
of Coronado. There are several other 
monuments in the State commemorating 
the Spanish explorations of 1541-1542. 

Monuments have been dedicated to 
the memory of settlers killed in the In- 
dian raids on the frontier, and to men 
who were killed by Indians while engaged 
in construction work on the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad. 

Memorial Hall. These are only a few; 
many tablets, monuments, and markers 
have been erected in Kansas, but by far the greatest 
number of them are monuments in honor of the soldiers 
of the Civil War. Many of these are 
very handsome, and they have cost, 
in the aggregate, thousands of dol- 
lars; but this recognition seemed 
insufficient, and it had long been 
hoped that a handsome and service- 
able building might be erected as a 
fitting and worthy recognition by the 
whole State of the honor due the sol- 
diers and sailors of the Civil War. 
The fulfillment of this ambition 
finally became possible when the 
United States paid to Kansas an old 
Civil War debt amounting to nearly 



The John Brown 
Monument. 




Marais DBS Cygnes 

MONUUBNT. 



214 



HISTORY OF KANSAS 




QuANTRiLL Raid Monument. 

a half -million dollars. The money was used for the 
construction of Memorial Hall. This beautiful structure, 
built of white marble, stands near the grounds of the 
State Capitol at Topeka. Part of Memorial Hall is used 
as headquarters for the Kansas Department of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and the rest by the 
State Historical Society. 

The State Historical Society. The State Historical So- 
ciety was organized in 1875. From that time until the 
present the Society has gathered and kept books, writings, 
narratives, maps, relics and other matter relating to the 
history of Kansas. In these collections may be found in- 
formation concerning the explorations, the Indians, the 
overland travel, the settlements, and the condition and 
progress of the State in its various departments. Volumes 



KANSAS MEMORIALS 215 

of clippings, files of newspapers, and thousands of books, 
provide a very complete record of all phases of the State's 
history. One of the interesting features is the collection 
of relics, among which are: an old Spanish sword supposed 



An Old, Double-edged, Spanish Sword, 
Found in Finney county some years ago and presented to the State Historical So- 
ciety. The sword bears the name of one of Coronado's officers, Juan Gallego. On 
the blade, in Spanish, are the words: "Draw me not without reason; sheathe me not 
without honor." 

to have belonged to one of Coronado's soldiers; the pistol 
of the Jayhawker, James Montgomery; two cannon used 
in the border troubles; and the cap, saddle, and sword of 
John Brown. There are many Indian pipes, ornaments, 
implements, arrowheads, and a war bonnet. The his- 
torical collections, which have increased from year to 
year, are very interesting and should be seen by every 
citizen of Kansas. The Historical Society had rooms in 
the State Capitol until the completion of Memorial Hall, 
when it was moved into the new building. Thus Memorial 
Hall stands as a tribute not only to the soldiers but to the 
entire history of Kansas. 

SUMMARY 

In late years Kansas has taken many steps to preserve 
its history. Some of its most prominent memorials are: 
Pawnee Rock; Pike Memorial; Santa Fe Trail markers; 
Pawnee Capitol; John Brown's battle-field; monuments 
to commemorate the battle of Osawatomie, the Marais 
des Cygnes massacre, and the Quantrill raid. Many other 
monuments and tablets have been erected in different 
parts of the State to commemorate important events. 
Memorial Hall, completed in 1914, was built in honor of 
the soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War. 



216 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

This building provided fitting quarters for the Kansas 
Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, and for 
the State Historical Society which has a large and valuable 
collection of original historical material. 

REFERENCES 

Blackmar, Kansas, Selected Topics. 

Inman, The Old Santa Fe Trail. 

Historical Collections, vol. xi, p. 253; vol. x, pp. 15, 50, 472. 

QUESTIONS 

1. How long since Kansas became a state? 

2. What places of historic interest are there in the State? 

3. What places of historic interest are there in your locality? 
Have they been marked in any way? 

4. What have you learned from the old settlers about the history 
of your locality? 

5. Locate Pawnee Rock. Give its early history. Its recent 
history. 

6. Give an account of Pike's visit to the Pawnee Indians. 
Where was the Indian village? How has this event been commemo- 
rated? 

7. Give an account of the marking of the Santa Fe Trail. 

8. Locate the old Pawnee Capitol and give its history. 

9. Name as many other memorials as you can and give the 
event which each commemorates. 

10. What is Memorial Hall? Why was it erected? For what is 
it to be used? 

11. Explain the work and purpose of the State Historical Society. 



CHAPTER XIX 

THE KANSAS SPIRIT 

Introduction. Kansas is a great State; great in size and 
wealth, gi'eat in industries and resources, and great in 
what it has accomplished. But there are states that are 
larger, others that are wealthier, and many that have 
larger cities, greater population, a longer history, and 
more splendid memorials, so it is not for these things that 
Kansas is especially noted among the states. The quality 
that is the mark of its distinction is the character of its 
history and of its people. 

The Meaning of the Kansas Spirit. Any people is, in 
large part, the product of its thinking, its beliefs, and its 
hopes and desires. This is the lesson of Hawthorne's story, 
"The Great Stone Face." Through all the years Ernest 
studied the face on the mountain and pondered the 
thoughts that he read there. In time he came to resemble 
the great face, both in its features and in the character it 
expressed. In the same way the people of Kansas have 
become what they are to-day because of their thoughts, 
their experiences and their ideals. We often hear it said 
concerning some act or some effort toward progress, "That 
is the Kansas spirit," which means that the thing done 
shows what kind of people the Kansans are ; it is character- 
istic of them. If, then, we would understand what this 
Kansas spirit is, we must know what thoughts and ex- 
periences and ideals have had a part in producing it. 

Pioneer Qualities. Certain characteristics of the people 
of Kansas are largely due to the fact that this was so 
recently a frontier state. Pioneer life, wherever it exists, 
develops the qualities of independence, courage, resource- 
fulness, endurance, and democracy. The pioneer has only 

(217) 




"This is but the dawn. We stand in the vestibule 
of the temple. The achievements of the past will 
pale into insignificance before the completed glory 
of the century to come." 

— John J. Ingalls. 



THE KANSAS SPIRIT 



219 



himself to lean on; he learns to take chances, he laughs at 
adversity, he adapts himself to circumstances, and he 
lives in the future. 

Qualities that Make the Kansas Spirit. These char- 
acteristics are not, however, peculiar to the Kansas people, 
for the early settlers of other states lived on the frontier 
and developed these same qualities. But Kansas had a 
Territorial history which was very different from that of 




The Forum, Wichita, Kansas. 

any other state and which has left its impress upon the 
people. Other pioneers have had the great task of making 
a state out of a wilderness, but Kansas pioneers had a 
second great task, that of making a free state in the face 
of the most determined opposition. They came to Kansas 
as the Puritans came to America, in the name of liberty. 
They were stem, unyielding, purposeful men and women, 
sure of the presence of divine leadership, and their char- 



220 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

acter has deeply influenced the Kansas people. This in- 
fluence has made them hate oppression ; it has made them 
demand justice and fair play; it has made them value 
people for their personal worth; it has made them believe 
in the equality of human rights, and in the ability of the 
people to govern themselves. These are characteristics 
of every true Kansan and the qualities that make the 
Kansas spirit. 

Manifestations of the Kansas Spirit. This spirit is 
evident in many phases of the life and progress of our 
people, but it is nowhere more apparent than in their 
political affairs and in their laws. The spirit that made 
the pioneers refuse to submit to the "Bogus Legislature" 
also impelled them to send more than their share of soldiers 
to the Civil War. Later, the same spirit led the Kansas 
people to adopt the prohibition amendment and to grant 
to women the full right of suffrage. It caused the farmers 
and other laboring people to form organizations for the 
better protection of their rights. It made the State do its 
part in the World War cheerfully and generously. In 
short, the Kansas spirit has manifested itself whenever 
the people have made an effort to overcome difficulties, 
whenever they have tried to secure more justice or liberty 
for themselves. These efforts have sometimes been so 
radical, and the plans offered for the betterment of con- 
ditions so new and startling as to attract much attention 
in the rest of the country. But Kansas has continued to 
believe in the worth and possibilities of her people and to 
make every effort to bring about conditions that will give 
them the opportunity to rise to the full measure of their 
nature. 

The Task Confronting the Kansas of To-day. All over 
the United States there is a growing tendency on the part 
of the people to exercise a more direct control of their 



THE KANSAS SPIRIT 221 

government; to take more and more authority into their 
own hands. This means that the people must be inter- 
ested, active and well-informed. For us, it means that 
the quality of Kansas government depends upon the qual- 
ity of Kansas citizenship. While the task of the pioneers 
was a heavy one, oure to-day is no less great, though it is 
different. Their struggle was to get the soil under culti- 
vation, ours to see that it does not become worn out; 
theirs to get public utilities, ours to use and regulate them; 
theirs to develop new industries, ours to see that they are 
carried on with justice to all; theirs to establish schools, 
ours to make them more efficient; in general, theirs to 
build up, ours to use wisely. 

Kansas history is not made; it is in the making. We 
study the past that we may learn how to make the present 
better. Great things have been accomplished but there 
is much yet to be done. The pioneers solved their prob- 
lems, and if we are worthy of the Kansas they have given 
us we will strive to solve ours. We will keep alive the 
Kansas spirit. 

SUMMARY 

The Kansas people have developed the same pioneer 
qualities as have the people of other states; but, in ad- 
dition, their peculiar Territorial history has made them 
believe in a marked degree in liberty, justice, equality, 
and democracy. These characteristics have given rise to 
what is called "the Kansas spirit." This spirit is especially 
evident in the political movements through which the 
people have taken more and more of the control of gov- 
ernment into their own hands. 

REFERENCES 

Kansas, Carl Becker. 

Historical Collections. Selected Topics. 

Connelley, History as an Asset of the State. 



222 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

QUESTIONS 

1. In what things is Kansas great? Name other states that are 
greater in any of these things. What quality distinguishes Kansas? 

2. How can the lesson in the story of "The Great Stone Face" 
be applied to Kansas? 

3. Why does pioneer life develop courage? Independence? 
Resourcefulness? 

4. What effect has the Territorial history of Kansas had on the 
people? 

5. What is meant by the Kansas spirit? What are some of the 
ways in which it has been shown? Discuss each. 

6. Discuss the responsibilities of the Kansas people of to-day. 



THE APPENDIX 



TERRITORIAL PERIOD 

Legislatures 

There were six Territorial legislatures. The first two were pro- 
slavery. Beginning in 1858 the four that followed were free-state. 

Constitutions 

Four constitutions were prepared: the Topeka Constitution in 
1855, the Lecompton in 1857, the Leavenworth in 1858, and the 
Wyandotte in 1859. The Lecompton was the only one that provided 
for slavery. The State was admitted under the Wyandotte, our 
present Constitution. It was based on the constitution of Ohio and 
was drafted by men from both parties. 

Capitals 

Several different places served as Territorial capitals. When 
Governor Reeder came to Kansas he kept his office at Leavenworth 
for about two months, then removed it to Shawnee Mission, which 
was used as the Territorial capital until the following spring when 
Governor Reeder named Pawnee as the capital. The Legislature 
remained at Pawnee only five days and then adjourned to Shawnee 
Mission, where the Governor's office was kept another year. In 
August, 1855, the Territorial Legislature selected Lecompton, which 
continued as the capital during the remainder of the Territorial 
period. However, when the free-state people gained control of the 
Legislature in 1858 they made an effort to change the capital to 
Minneola. Failing in this, they met at Lecompton for each session 
and then at once adjourned to Lawrence. At an election in Novem- 
ber, 1861, the people selected Topeka as the permanent capital of 
Kansas. 

The Topeka Movement 

The free-state Government under the Topeka Constitution was 
organized in the days of the "Bogus Legislature" for the purpose of 
uniting the free-state people and enabling them to oppose pro- 
slavery methods. It was continued until the free-state people gained 
control of the Territorial Legislature, when it became no longer 
necessary and was dropped. The principal events were as follows: 
The convention met in October of 1855, completed the Topeka 
Constitution in November, and the free-state people voted favorably 
on it in December. In January of 1856 they elected Charles Robin- 
son governor. Their Legislature met in March, and in the same 
month they applied for admission to the Union but the bill failed 

(223) 



224 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

to pass. The Legislature met again in July, but was disbanded by 
United States troops under Sumner. They met in January of 1857, 
but the officers were arrested. Two additional meetings were held; 
one in January and one in March of 1858. Then, having served its 
purpose, the Topeka movement was at an end. 



APPENDIX 225 

INDIAN MISSIONS IN EARLY KANSAS 

Presbyterian Missions 

Two Presbyterian missions were establislied among the Osages 
in what is now Neosho County in 1824. One was the Boudinot 
mission. The work was in charge of Rev. Benton Pixley. 

Rev. S. M. Irwin established a mission among the lowas, Sacs 
and Foxes in Doniphan County, near the present town of Highland, 
in 1837. Highland College, one of the oldest colleges in the State, 
still remains as a school of this church. 

Methodist Missions 

In 1830 the Shawnee Methodist mission was established a few 
miles southwest of where Kansas City now stands. This mission 
was in charge of Rev. Thomas Johnson. A few years later it had 
a manual-labor school and a farm and was one of the largest and 
best known of the missions in Kansas. 

In 1832 a mission was established among the Delawares in 
Wyandotte County, on the site of the town of White Church, by 
William Johnson and Thomas B. Markham. Rev. E. T. Peery was 
in charge. 

A mission for the Kickapoos was founded in 1833. It was just 
north of the site of Leavenworth and was in charge of Rev. J. C. 
Berryman. 

In 1833 a mission was established for the Kanzas at Mission 
Creek, Shawnee County, by Rev. William Johnson, who continued 
the work for seven years. When the Kanzas were moved, the mis- 
sion was located at Council Grove. It existed from 1850 to 1854. 

Baptist Missions 

The Baptist Church established a mission among the Shawnees 
in 1831. It was about two miles northwest of the Shawnee Metho- 
dist mission. 1 he leader was Isaac McCoy, and he was joined later 
by Dr. Johnson Lykins and Rev. Jotham Meeker. Mr. Meeker was 
a printer, and in 1834 issued the first book printed in Kansas, a 
primer in the Indian language. 

A mission was established among the Ottawas in 1837, on the 
present site of Ottawa, under the charge of Rev. Jotham Meeker. 
This mission survives in Ottawa University. 

A mission was opened among the Pottawatomies in 1837, by 
Rev. Robert Simmerwell, near the site of Osawatomie. When this 
tribe moved to the new reservation the mission was relocated at 
Mission Creek in Shawnee County. It was abandoned in 1854. 

In 1840 Dr. David Lykins established a mission among the 
Miamis, about ten miles southeast of the present city of Paola. 

Dr. Johnson Lykins opened a mission among the Delawares in 
1832. 

Friends Mission 

The Society of Friends established a mission among the Shawnees 
in 1834, about three miles west of the Methodist mission. Henry 

—15 



226 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Harvey, M. Mendenhall, and the Hadleys were teachers in this 
mission. 

Catholic Missions 

In 1822 Father La Croix visited the Osages, just across the line 
in Missouri, and baptized several Indian children. At different 
times Father Van Quickenborn visited the Osages and preached. 
In 1847 Rev. Schoenmaker established the Osage Mission, now 
St. Paul, in Neosho County. 

The Catholic mission was founded in 1836 by Fathers Van 
Quickenborn and Hoeken for the Kickapoos, near the Junction of 
Salt Creek with the Missouri, in Leavenworth County. 

St. Mary's mission among the Pottawatomies was established 
in Miami County in 1838, and moved to Linn County in 1839, 
where it remained until the removal of the tribe to Pottawatomie 
County in 1849. The mission was then established at St. Mary's, 
where it survives to-day in St. Mary's school for boys. 



APPENDIX 227 

FORTS IN EARLY KANSAS 

Many forts were established in early Kansas; a few by the fur 
companies, some by the War Department, some by state troops, 
a number by settlers as a place of refuge from the Indians, and a 
few by free-state and proslavery forces during the Territorial strug- 
gle. Some of them consisted merely of a wall of earth thrown up, 
others of a strongly built log cabin within a line of earthworks or 
line of palisades. Many of them were more pretentious, and were 
built of logs, adobe, or stone. Some of the forts established by the 
National Government cost many thousands of dollars and most of 
them had large land reserves. As the settlements moved westward 
the necessity for the forts no longer existed, and with the exception 
of Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, which are still maintained by 
the National Government as army posts, they fell into disuse. 
The principal early forts were: 

Fort Kanzas, established by the French fur traders in the early 
part of the eighteenth century, was located in what is now Atchison 
County. It is mentioned in the journal of Lewis and Clark as an 
abandoned fort. 

Fort Lyon, earlier called Bent's Fort, was built in 1826 for a 
fur-trading post. It occupied several different sites on the Arkansas 
River, all of them within the present bounds of Colorado, the last 
one being within Territorial Kansas. It was opened to settlement 
in 1890. 

Fort Leavenworth was established in 1827 by Col. Henry Leaven- 
worth of the United States army. It has from its beginning been 
an important military post. More than $2,000,000 has been ex- 
pended on it, and it now ranks among the first of the military posts 
of the United States. 

Fort Riley was established in 1852 by the United States. It has 
been enlarged and improved from time to time until it is now an 
important military center. Fort Riley is near the junction of the 
Republican and Smoky Hill rivers, and is very near the geographical 
center of the United States. 

Fort Atkinson, one of the early forts erected along the Santa Fe 
Trail, was located on the Arkansas River about six miles above the 
present site of Dodge City. This fort was built in 1850 and aban- 
doned in 1854. It was known for a few months as Fort Mackey, 
when the name was changed to Fort Atkinson. 

Fort Mann was probably erected about 1845 on or near the site 
on which Fort Atkinson was later built. 

Fort Scott was built in 1842 on the site of the present city of 
Fort Scott. In 1853 it ceased to be used as a military post, and in 
1855 the buildings were sold. This fort had no reservation. 

Fort Lamed was located in 1859 on Pawnee Fork, about eight 
miles above the mouth of that stream. It was for a number of years 
an important post, but was later abandoned as a fort, and in 1882 
the reservation was opened for sale to settlers. 

Fort Saunders was a proslavery stronghold about twelve miles 



228 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

southwest of Lawrence in 1856. It was destroyed by a body of free- 
state settlers the same year. 

Fort Titus, located about two miles south of Lecompton, was a 
log house used as a proslavery fortification. It was captured and 
destroyed by free-state forces shortly after the destruction of Fort 
Saunders. 

Fort Wakarusa was a free-state fortification on the Wakarusa 
River, about five miles from Lawrence. 

Fort Bain was a log cabin in the northern part of Bourbon County 
which served as a retreat for John Brown and James Montgomery 
in 1857 and 1858. 

Fort Baxter, a military post, was established by General Blunt 
in 1863. It was the scene of an attack by Quantrill, known as the 
Baxter Springs massacre. After the war the town of Baxter Springs 
grew up on the site. 

Fort Dodge was one of the most important forts on the western 
frontier. It was located to the east of The Caches, near Dodge 
City, in 1864. The first buildings were of adobe, but in 1867 good 
buildings were erected. Fort Dodge was not abandoned until 1882. 
The Soldiers' Home at Fort Dodge was later established on a part 
of this military reservation. 

Fort Downer was located on Downer's Creek, about fifty miles 
west of Fort Hays. It was in existence between 1863 and 1868. 

Fort Harker was established in 1864, near the present site of 
Ellsworth, with the name Fort Ellsworth. Two years later the 
name was changed to Fort Harker and the site moved about a mile 
northeast. This fort was for a long time the shipping point for 
freight bound for New Mexico. Fort Harker was abandoned in 
1872 and the reservation opened to settlement in 1880. 

Fort Wallace was established near the present town of Wallace 
in 1865. This was an important post during the building of the 
Union Pacific railroad. It was abandoned as a fort in 1882, and in 
1888 the land was ordered sold. 

Fort Zarah was established in 1864, about four miles east of the 
present city of Great Bend. It was dismantled in 1869, and the 
reservation was later sold. 

Fort Hays was established by the National Government, in 1865, 
about fourteen miles southeast of the present Hays City, and was 
for a year known as Fort Fletcher. In 1867 a new site, about three- 
fourths mile from Hays City, was selected. The reservation con- 
sisted of 7500 acres. General Sheridan used Fort Hays for head- 
quarters during the Black Kettle raid in 1868. It continued to be 
used as a military post until 1889. In 1900 Kansas secured the land 
and buildings for educational purposes. The Fort Hays Kansas 
Normal School and an experiment station for the Agricultural 
College are now located there. 

Fort Henning, Fort Blair, and Fort Insley were three block- 
houses erected at Fort Scott in 1861 for the purpose of guarding 
military stores from the Confederate forces. 

Fort Lincoln was built by Lane in 1861, about twelve miles north- 



APPENDIX 229 

west of Fort Scott, for protection from the Confederate forces. It 
was abandoned in 1864. 

Fort Aubrey was one of the forts established in 1865 by the 
soldiers sent to quell the Indian uprisings. It was located near the 
present village of Mayline in Hamilton County. It was abandoned 
the following year. 

Fort Jewell was erected in 1870 on the site of Jewell City for the 
protection of the settlers against the Cheyennes who were then on 
the warpath. It consisted of a wall of earth around a fifty-yard 
square. After the Indian troubles were over Fort Jewell was aban- 
doned. 



230 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

SOME PROMINENT KANSANS 

Hundreds of Kansas men and women have served their State 
in a way worthy of note. To tell the story of the services rendered 
by all of them would require many volumes. In a book like the 
present one, mention can be made of only a few of those most widely 
known. In addition to names mentioned in the body of the text, 
the following are a few of the names of Kansans, no longer living, 
who had much to do with making the history of the State: 

Preston B. Plumb came to Kansas to make his home in 1857. 
He started a newspaper, Kansas News, at Emporia. In 1861 he 
was elected to the State House of Representatives. The same year 
he entered the Union army and served until the close of the war. 
He then engaged in the practice of law. In 1876 he was elected to 
the United States Senate, which position he filled until his death in 
1891, a period of fourteen years of continuous service. 

William A. Harris came to Kansas in 1865, at the close of four 
years of service in the Confederate army, and entered the employ 
of the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a civil engineer. Later 
he became a well-known farmer and stock raiser. In 1896 he was 
elected to the State Senate, and in 1897 to the United States Senate. 
His later years were given to various lines of agricultural advance- 
ment. He served as a regent of the State Agricultural College. His 
death occurred in 1909. 

Samuel A. Kingman came to Kansas in 1857. He was a lawyer. 
He served as a member of the Wyandotte Constitutional Conven- 
tion. He was associate justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas, 
1861 to 1865, and chief justice, 1867 to 1876, when he resigned 
because of ill health. He died in 1904. 

David J. Brewer came to Leavenworth in 1859, where he en- 
gaged in the practice of law. He served continuously in various 
offices. He was associate justice of the State Supreme Court from 
1871 to 1884, a judge of the United States Circuit Court from 1884 
to 1889, and in 1889 he was commissioned Associate Justice of the 
United States Supreme Court, which position he filled until his 
death in 1910. 

John A. Anderson came to Junction City in 1858 as pastor of 
the Presbyterian church. In 1873 he was made president of the 
State Agricultural College. He reorganized that institution and 
remained at its head until 1878. when he was elected to Congress 
where he served until 1891. He was appointed consul-general to 
Cairo, Egypt, in 1891. He died on his way back home in the fol- 
lowing year. 

Francis Huntington Snow was elected to the first faculty of 
the University of Kansas as professor of mathematics and natural 
sciences, in 1866. In 1870 he became professor of natural history in 
the University. He organized the collecting expeditions which have 
resulted in the extensive natural history museums of the University. 
He was made Chancellor of the University in 1890, from which 
position he retired in 1901. He died in 1908. 



APPENDIX 231 

Edmund G. Ross came to Kansas in 1856. He was a member of 
the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention and served in the Union 
army. In 1866 he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the United 
States Senate caused by the death of James H. Lane. He cast the 
deciding vote in the Senate against the impeachment of President 
Johnson, which act aroused great indignation. He engaged in news- 
paper work until 1882, when he went to New Mexico where he 
served as Territorial Governor from 1885 to 1889. He died in 1907. 

Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols, a writer and lecturer, came with her 
family to Kansas in 1854. She lived first at Lawrence and then at 
Wyandotte. She was a strong advocate of a more just understand- 
ing of the rights of women. She attended the meetings of the Wyan- 
dotte Constitutional Convention, and counseled with the members 
on all matters relating to women, with the result that the Kansas 
Constitution was one of the most liberal in the United States at that 
time. Her death occurred in 1885. 

Mrs. Mary A. Bickerdyke, generally known as "Mother 
Bickerdyke," served as a nurse during the Civil War. At its close 
she came to Kansas and was instrumental in assisting soldiers who 
were left without employment to come to Kansas and take home- 
steads. Through her efforts aid was given settlers after Indian raids, 
and she assisted in securing aid for Kansas settlers after the grass- 
hopper invasion. The Mother Bickerdyke Home for soldiers' 
widows, at Ellsworth, was named in her honor. After a life of great 
activity she died in 1901. 

Alfred Gr.ay came to Kansas in 1857. With the exception of 
his period of service in the Union army he was engaged in farming 
until 1873. From 1866 until 1870 he was a director of the State 
Agricultural Society. When the State Board of Agriculture was 
organized, in 1872, he became its first secretary, and filled the posi- 
tion until his death in 1880. 

Frederick Wellhouse came to Leavenworth County, Kansas, 
in 1859. He was engaged in the growing and sale of fruit trees until 
1876, when he began planting commercial apple orchards. During 
the next eighteen years he planted 1637 acres of apple trees. Many 
years were given to experiments to determine the varieties best 
adapted to Kansas. He became known throughout the country, 
and was called "The Apple King." For ten years he was president 
of the State Horticultural Society, and was at different times en- 
gaged in many public activities. He died in 1911. 

Franklin G. Adams settled on a farm in Leavenworth County 
in 1856. He held various positions of public service, and on the 
organization of the State Historical Society in 1875 he was made its 
.secretary, which position he held until his death n 1899. He 
organized and developed the work of the Society, in which work 
he was materially assisted by his daughter, Miss Zu Adams, who 
continued her work from 1880 until her death in 1911. 

Mrs. Sara T. D. Robinson came to the Territory in 1854 with 
her husband. Dr. Charles Robinson, and took an active part in 
early Kansa.s affairs. She wrote Kansas —Its Interior and Exterior 



232 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Life, the most notable book produced by a Kansan of that time. 
It had a wide circulation and a great influence. Mrs. Robinson 
died at her home near Lawrence in 19 IL 

Noble L. Prentis came to Kansas in 1869 as editor of the Topeka 
Record. From that time until his death in 1900 he was connected 
with various Kansas newspapers: the Topeka Commonwealth, the 
Lawrence Journal, the Junction City Union, the Atchison Champion, 
and the Kansas City Star. He wrote five books: A Kansan Abroad, 
Southern Letters, Southwestern Letters, Kansas Miscellanies, and 
History of Kansas. 

Daniel W. Wilder, who first came to Kansas in 1857, was at 
different times the editor of a number of newspapers. He was one 
of the founders of the State Historical Society, served one term as 
state auditor and two terms as superintendent of insurance. It was 
as a newspaper man that Mr. Wilder's influence was especially felt. 
He was the author of the Annals of Kansas, Life of Shakespeare, 
and was one of the compilers of all editions of Bartlett's Familiar 
Quotations. 

Eugene F. Ware came to Kansas in 1867. He practiced law, 
and was for many years the editor of the Fort Scott Monitor. He 
served in the state legislature, and from 1902 to 1905 was United 
States Pension Commissioner. He died in 1911. It is as a writer 
that Mr. Ware is best known. His Rhymes of Ironquill is his most 
widely read work. 



APPENDIX 233 



KANSAS WRITERS 



The Kansas struggle was the source of a great deal of writing. 
Eastern newspapers were full of the Kansas question. During the 
Territorial period many of the eastern papers kept correspondents 
in the Territory, and these men wrote much of the conflict here and 
of pioneer life and conditions. The Kansas people themselves were 
too busy to give much attention to literature and produced but few 
writings of permanent value. Kansas — Its Interior and Exterior 
Life, by Mrs. Sara T. D. Robinson, was written during this period. 
Other early wTiters were: William A. Phillips, Richard Realf, 
James Redpath, Albert D. Richardson, W. P. Tomlinson, and Henry 
Harvey. 

During the Civil War practically all of the writing produced in 
Kansas was concerned with the struggle that the people were going 
through. The period from the close of the Civil War until the 
"grasshopper year" of 1874 was one of remarkable growth and 
expansion and the people were full of confidence and enthusiasm. 
It was in this period that The Karisas Magazine was published. 
Though it lasted less than two years, it was a magazine of real 
literature. Among the contributors were: Henry King, James W. 
Steele, John J. Ingalls, D. W. Wilder, R. J. Hinton, Charles Robin- 
son, and Noble L. Prentis. 

The depression caused by the grasshopper raid affected Kansas 
in literature as well as in other activities. For several years but few 
books were published. Two of the books produced during this 
period were, however, very valuable ones: Andreas' History of 
Kansas, a compilation by many writers, and Wilder's Annals of 
Kansas. George R. Peck and John J. Ingalls came into prominence 
about this time as orators. Many of their speeches have become 
a part of our literature. Joseph G. McCoy and Joel Moody were 
writers of this period. 

A number of good books were published in the '80's, among them: 
The Story of a Country Town, E. W. Howe; A Kansan Abroad, 
Noble L. Prentis; Rhymes of Ironquill, Eugene F. Ware; History 
of Kansas, L. W. Spring; Anabel and Other Poems, Ellen P. Allerton. 
Other writers of this time were: F. W. Giles, Charles Gleed, and 
Hattie Horner. 

The period following the collapse of the boom, 1888 to 1892, pro- 
duced many books. Some of the most prominent were: Kansas 
Miscellanies, Prentis; The Farmers' Side, William A. Peffer; Letters, 
Charles F. Scott; In the Van of Empire, Henry Inman; Richard 
Bruce, Charles M. Sheldon; Old Wine in New Bottles, Brinton W. 
Woodward. During this period The Agora, a Kansas magazine, was 
published. All the best Kansas writers of the period were among its 
contributors, but it lived only a short time. Among other writers 
were: Nathaniel S. Goss, Mrs. Mary W. Hudson, Gov. Charles 
Robinson, Albert Bigelow Paine, and John Speer. 

The last twenty years have brought peace and prosperity to 
Kansas and the people have been able to give more time and 



234 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

thought to literature. Many writings have been produced — poetry, 
essays, speeches, newspaper and magazine articles, and many books. 
The following are among the writers who have come into prominence 
in the last two decades: 

Henry Inman, author of: The Old Santa Fe Trail, The Great 
Salt Lake Trail, The Ranch on the Oxhide, and The Delahoyd Boys. 

Charles M. Sheldon, author of: Richard Bruce, Robert Hardy s 
Seven Days, The Crucifixion of Philip Strong, His Brother's Keeper, 
In His Steps, Malcolm Kirk, Lend a Hand, The Redemption of 
Freetown, The Miracle at Markham, One of the Two, For Christ 
and the Church, Born to Serve, Who Killed Joe's Baby, The Re- 
former, The Narrow Gate, The Heart of the World, Paul Douglas, 
The Good Fight, The High Calling, The Twentieth Door. 

William Allen White, author of: The Real Issue, Stratagems 
and Spoils, Court of Boyville, God's Puppets, In Our Town, A Cer- 
tain Rich Man, The Martial Adventures of Henry and Me, In the 
Heart of a Fool, Rhymes by Two Friends (poems by Mr. White 
and Albert Bigelow Paine). 

Eugene Ware, author of: The Rise and Fall of the Saloon. 
The Lyon Campaign and History of the First Iowa Infantry, The 
Indian Campaign of 1864, Rhymes of Ironquill, Ithuriel, From 
Court to Court, Several translations from Spanish, French and 
Latin, contributions to many publications. 

William Y. Morgan, author of: A Jayhawker in Europe, The 
•Journey of a Jayhawker, The Near East, and numerous newspa- 
per articles. 

Margaret Hill McCarter, author of: The Cottonwood's Story, 
Cuddy's Baby, In Old Quivira, A Master's Degree, The Peace of 
the Solomon Valley, Price of the Prairie, The Reclaimers, A Wall of 
Men, Winning the Wilderness, Vanguard of the Plains, and a series 
of classics. 

Walt Mason, author of: Horse Sense, Ripplir.g Rhymes, Terse 
Verse, Walt Mason: His Book, and Business Prose Poems. 

William Elsey Connelley, author of: John Brown, James H. 
Lane, Wyandot Folk-Lore, An Appeal to the Record, Kansas Ter- 
ritorial Governors, Memoirs of John James Ingalls, Ingalls of Kan- 
sas, Quantrill and the Border Wars, Life of Preston B. Plumb, and 
Kansas and Kansans. 

Samuel J. Crawford, author of Kansas in the Sixties. 

William Herbert Carruth, author of Each in His Own Tongue 
and Other Poems. 

Among other present-day Kansas writers are: E. W. Howe, 
F. W. Blackmar, Mrs. Louisa Cooke Don Carlos, Eflfie Graham, 
W. A. McKeever, Mrs. Dell H. Munger, Mrs. Kate A. Aplington, 
Esther M. Clark, F. Dumont Smith, Charles M. Harger. Wiliard 
Wattles, and Dr. C. H. Lerrigo. 



APPENDIX 235 

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS OF KANSAS 

The Governors were appointed for terms of four years, but none 
of them served a full term. Ten different men filled the office during 
the Territorial period of six years and eight months. There were six 
Governors and five Acting Governors, James W. Denver serving in 
both capacities. During the absence of a Governor or when there 
was a vacancy in the office the duties of the Governor fell upon the 
Secretary of the Territory and he was called the Acting Governor. 

Governors Acting Governors Terms Served 

Andrew H. Reeder July 7, 1854, to August 

16, 1855. 

Daniel Woodson August 16, 1855, to 

September 7, 1855. 

Wilson Shannon September 7, 1855, to 

August 18, 1856. 

Daniel Woodson August 18, 1856, to 

September 9, 1856. 

John W. Geary September 9, 1856, to 

March 12, 1857. 

Daniel Woodson March 12, 1857, to 

April 16, 1857. 
Frederick P. Stanton April 16, 1857. to 

May 27, 1857. 

Robert J. Walker May 27, 1857, to 

November 16, 1857. 

Frederick P. Stanton November 16, 1857, to 

December 21, 1857. 

James W. Denver December 21, 1857, to 

May 12, 1858. 

James W. Denver May 12, 1858, to 

October 10, 1858. 

Hugh S. Walsh October 10. 1858, to 

December 18. 1858. 

Samuel Medary December 18, 1858, to 

December 17, 1860. 

Hugh S. Walsh August 1, 1859, to 

September 15, 1859. 

Hugh S. Walsh April 15, 1860, to 

June 16, 1860. 

George M. Beebe September 11, 1860, to 

November 25, 1860. 

.Auditors 

John Donaldson 1855-1857 

Hiram Jackson Strickler 1857-1861 



236 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Treasurers 

Thomas J. B. Cramer 1855-1859 

Robert B. Mitchell 1859-1861 

Attorneys- General 

Andrew Jackson Isacks 1854-1857 

William Weer 1857-1858 

Alson C. Davis 1858-1861 

Superintendents of Schools 

James H. Noteware 1858 

Samuel Wiley Greer 1858-1861 

John C. Douglass 1861 

Territorial Chief Justices 

Samuel Dexter Lecompte 1854-1859 

John Pettit 1859-1861 

Associate Justices 

Saunders W. Johnston 1854-1855 

J. M. Burrell 1855-1856 

Thomas Cunningham 1856-1857 

Joseph Williams 1857-1861 

Rush Elmore 1854-1855 

Sterling G. Cato 1855-1858 

Rush Elmore 1858-1861 



APPENDIX 237 

STATE OFFICERS OF KANSAS 

Governors 

Charles Robinson 1861-1863 

Thomas Carney 1863-1865 

Samuel J. Crawford 1865-1868 

Resigned November 4, 1868. 

Nehemiah Green, Acting Governor 1868-1869 

James M. Harvey 1869-1873 

Thomas A. Osborn 1873-1877 

George T. Anthony 1877-1879 

John P. St. John 1879-1883 

George W. Click 1883-1885 

John A. Martin 1885-1889 

Lyman U. Humphrey 1889-1893 

Lorenzo D. Lewelling 1893-1895 

Edmund N. Morrill 1895-1897 

John W. Leedy 1897-1899 

William E. Stanley 1899-1903 

Willis Joshua Bailey 1903-1905 

Edward W. Hoch 1905-1909 

Walter Roscoe Stubbs 1909-1913 

George H. Hodges 1913-1915 

Arthur Capper 1915-1919 

Henry J. Allen 1919 

Lieutenant-Governors 

Joseph P. Root 1861-1863 

Thomas A. Osborn 1863-1865 

James McGrew 1865-1867 

Nehemiah Green 1867-1868 

Charles V. Eskridge 1869-1871 

Peter P. Elder 1871-1873 

Elias S. Stover 1873-1875 

Melville J. Salter 1875-1877 

Resigned July 19, 1877. 

Lyman U. Humphrey, elected November 6 1877 

Lyman U. Humphrey 1879-1881 

D. W. Finney 1881-1885 

Alex. P. Riddle 1885-1889 

Andrew J. Felt 1889-1893 

Percy Daniels 1893-1895 

James A. Troutman 1895-1897 

A. M. Harvey 1897-1899 

H. E. Richter 1899-1903 

David J. Hanna 1903-1907 

W. J. Fitzgerald 1907-1911 

Richard J. Hopkins 1911-1913 

Sheffield Ingalls 1913-1915 

William Yost Morgan 1915-1919 

Chas. E. Huffman 1919 



238 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Secretaries of State 

John Winter Robinson 1861-1862 

Removed July 28, 1862. 

Sanders Rufus Shepherd, appointed 1862-1863 

William Wirt Henry Lawrence 1863-1865 

Rinaldo Allen Barker 1865-1869 

Thomas Moonlight 1869-1871 

William Hillary Smallwood 1871-1875 

Thomas H. Cavanaugh 1875-1879 

James Smith 1879-1885 

Edwin Bird Allen 1885-1889 

William Higgins 1889-1893 

Russel Scott Osborn 1893-1895 

William Congdon Edwards 1895-1897 

William Eben Bush 1897-1899 

George Alfred Clark 1899-1903 

Joel Randall Burrow 1903-1907 

C. E. Denton 1907-191 1 

Charles H. Sessions 1911-1915 

John Thomas Botkin 1915-1919 

L. J. Pettijohn 1919 

Auditors 

George Shaler Hillyer 1861-1862 

Removed July 28, 1862. 

David Long Lakin, appointed 1862-1863 

Asa Hairgrove 1863-1865 

John R. Swallow 1865-1869 

Alois Thoman 1869-1873 

Daniel Webster Wilder 1873-1876 

Resigned September 20, 1876. 

Parkinson Isaiah Bonebrake, appointed 1876 

Parkinson Isaiah Bonebrake 1877-1883 

Edward P. McCabe 1883-1887 

Timothy McCarthy 1887-1891 

Charles Merrill Hovey 1891-1893 

Van B. Prather 1893-1895 

George Ezekiel Cole 1895-1897 

William H. Morris 1897-1899 

George Ezekiel Cole 1899-1903 

Seth Grant Wells 1903-1907 

J. M. Nation 1907-1911 

W. E. Davis 1911-1917 

F. W. Knapp 1917 

Treasurers 

William Tholen, elected in 1859. 

Entered the army and did not qualify. 

Hartwin R. Dutton, appointed March 26 1861 

Hartwin R. Dutton, elected 1861-1863 



APPENDIX 239 

Treasureks — concluded 

William Spriggs 1863-1867 

Martin Anderson 1867-1869 

George Graham 1869-1871 

Josiah Emery Hayes 1871-1874 

Resigned April 30, 1874. 

John Francis, appointed 1874-1875 

Samuel Lappin 1875 

Resigned December 20. 1875. 

John Francis, appointed 1875 

John Francis 1877-1883 

Samuel T. Howe 1883-1887 

James William Hamilton 1887-1890 

Resigned March 1, 1890. 

William Sims, appointed 1890-1891 

Solomon G. Stover 1891-1893 

William Henry Biddle 1893-1895 

Otis L. Atherton 1895-1897 

David H. Heflebower 1897-1899 

Frank E. Grimes 1899-1903 

Thomas T. Kelly 1903-1907 

Mark TuUy 1907-1913 

Earl Akers 1913-1917 

"Walter L. Payne 1917 

Attorneys-General 

Benjamin Franklin Simpson 1861 

Resigned July, 1861. 

Charles Chadwick, appointed 1861 

Samuel A. Stinson 1861-1863 

Warren W. Guthrie 1863-1865 

Jerome D. Brumbaugh 1865-1867 

George Henrv Hoyt 1867-1869 

Addison Danford 1869-1871 

Archibald L. Williams 1871-1875 

Asa M. F. Randolph 1875-1877 

Willard Davis 1877-1881 

William A. Johnston 1881-1884 

Resigned December 1, 1884. 

George P. Smith, appointed 1884-1885 

Simeon Briggs Bradford 1885-1889 

Lyman Beecher Kellogg 1889-1891 

John Nutt Ives 1891-1893 

.John Thomas Little 1893-1895 

Fernando B. Dawes 1895-1897 

Louis C. Boyle 1897-1899 

Aretas A. Godard 1899-1903 

Charles Crittenden Coleman 1903-1907 

F. S. Jackson 1907-1911 

John S. Dawson 1911-1915 



240 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Attorneys-General — concluded 

Sardies Mason Brewster 1915-1919 

Richard J. Hopkins 1919 

Superintendents of Public Instruction 

William Riley Griffith 1861-1862 

Died February 12, 1862. 

Simeon Montgomery Thorp, appointed 1862-1863 

Isaac T. Goodnow 1863-1867 

Peter McVicar 1867-1871 

Hugh De France McCarty 1871-1875 

John Fraser 1875-1877 

Allen Borsley Lemmon 1877-1881 

Henry Clay Speer 1881-1885 

Joseph Hadden Lawhead 1885-1889 

George Wesley Winans 1889-1893 

Henry Newton Gaines 1893-1895 

Edmund Stanley 1895-1897 

William Stryker 1897-1899 

Frank Nelson 1899-1903 

Insley L. Dayhoff 1903-1907 

E. T. Fairchild 1907-1912 

Resigned November 19, 1912. 

W. D. Ross, appointed 1912 

W. D. Ross 1913-1919 

Lorraine E. Wooster 1919 

Chief Justices 

Thomas Ewing, Jr 1861-1862 

Resigned November 28, 1862. 

Nelson Cobb, appointed 1862-1864 

Robert Crozier 1864-1867 

Samuel Austin Kingman 1867-1876 

Resigned December 30, 1876. 

Albert Howell Horton, appointed 1876 

Albert Howell Horton 1877-1895 

Resigned April 30, 1895. 

David Martin, appointed 1895 

David Martin 1895-1897 

Frank Doster 1897-1903 

William Agnew Johnston 1903 

State Printers 

S. S. Prouty 1869-1873 

George W. Martin 1873-1881 

T. Dwight Thatcher 1881-1887 

Clifford C. Baker 1887-1891 

E. H. Snow 1891-1895 

J. K. Hudson 1895-1897 



APPENDIX 241 

State Printers — concluded 

J. S. Parks 1897-1899 

W. Y. Morgan 1899-1903 

George A. Clark 1903-1905 

T. A. McNeal 1905-1911 

W. C. Austin 1911-1915 

William R. Smith 1915-19ia 

Resigned February 1, 1919. 

Imri Zumwalt, appointed 1919 

Superintendents of Insurance 

Webb McNall 1897-1901 

W. V. Church 1901-1903 

Charles H. Luling 1903-1907 

Charles W. Barnes 1907-1911 

Ike S. Lewis 1911-1915 

Carey J. Wilson 1915-1919 

Frank L. Travis 1919 

United States Senators 

LANE SUCCESSION 

James H. Lane 1861-1866 

Died July 11, 1866. 

Edmund G. Ross, appointed 1866 

Edmund G. Ross 1867-1871 

Alexander Caldwell 1871-1873 

Resigned March 24, 1873. 

Robert Crozier, appointed 1873-1874 

James M. Harvey, elected 1874-1877 

Preston B. Plumb 1877-1891 

Died December 20, 1891. 

Bishop W. Perkins, appointed 1892-1893 

John Martin, elected January 25 1893-1895 

Lucien Baker 1895-1901 

Joseph Ralph Burton 1901-1906 

Resigned, 1906. 

A. W. Benson, appointed 1906-1907 

Charles Curtis 1907-1913 

William H. Thompson 1913-1919 

Arthur Capper 1919 

POMEROY SUCCESSION 

Samuel C. Pomeroy 1861-1873 

John James Ingalls 1873-1891 

William Alfred Peffer 1891-1897 

William A. Harris 1897-1903 

Chester I. Long 1903-1909 

J. L. Bristow 1909-1915 

Charles Curtis 1915 

—16 



242 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Congressmen 

Martin F. Conway 1861-1863 

Abel Carter Wilder 1863-1865 

Sidney Clarke 1865-1871 

David P. Lowe 1871-1875 

Stephen Alonzo Cobb 1873-1875 

William Addison Phillips 1873-1879 

William R. Brown 1875-1877 

John R. Goodin 1875-1877 

Dudley C. Haskell 1877-1883 

Thomas Ryan 1877-1889 

John Alexander Anderson 1879-1891 

Edmund N. Morrill 1883-1891 

Samuel Ritter Peters 1883-1891 

Lewis Hanback 1883-1887 

Bishop W. Perkins 1883-1891 

Edward Hogue Funston 1883-1893 

Erastus J. Turner 1887-1891 

Harrison Kelley 1889-1891 

Case Broderick 1891-1899 

B. H. Clover 1891-1893 

John Davis 1891-1895 

T e- /1891-1895 

Jerry Simpson { iggy-iggg 

John Grant Otis 1891-1893 

William Baker 1891-1897 

William Alexander Harris 1893-1895 

Horace L. Moore 1893-1895 

Charles Curtis 1893-1907 

Thomas J. Hudson 1893-1895 

Richard W. Blue 1895-1897 

Orrin L. Miller 1895-1897 

Snyder S. Kirkpatrick 1895-1897 

^, . T T ri895-1897 

Chester I. Long -11899-1903 

William A. Calderhead < i ggg-igjx 

Jeremiah Dunham Botkin 1897-1899 

Mason Summers Peters 1897-1899 

N. B. McCormick 1897-1899 

Edwin Reed Ridgely 1897-1901 

William D. Vincent 1897-1899 

Willis Joshua Bailey 1899-1901 

Justin DeWitt Bowersock 1899-1907 

James Monroe Miller 1899-1911 

William Augustus Reeder 1899-1911 

Charles Frederick Scott 1901-1911 



APPENDIX 243 

Congressmen — concluded 

Alfred Metcalf Jackson 1901-1903 

Philip Pitt Campbell 1903 

Victor Murdock 1903-1915 

D. R. Anthony 1907 

E. H. Madison* 1907-1911 

A. C. Mitchell t 1911-1911 

Fred S. Jackson 1911-1913 

R. R. Rees 1911-1913 

I. D. Young 1911-1913 

Joseph Taggart 1911-1915 

Dudley Doolittle 1913-1919 

Guy T. Helvering 1913-1919 

John R. Connelly 1913-1919 

George A. Neelev 1912-1915 

Jouett Shouse 1915-1919 

William A. Ayers 1915 - - 

Edward Little 1915 

Hayes B. White 1919 

Homer Hoch 1919 

James Strong ' 1919 

James N. Tincher 1919 



* Died, Sept- 18, 1911. 
tDied, July 7, 1911. 



244 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

INSTITUTIONS IN KANSAS 

State Schools 

University of Kansas Lawrence. 

State Agricultural College Manhattan. 

State Normal School Emporia. 

Fort Hays Kansas Normal School Hays. 

State Manual Training Normal School Pittsburg. 

Kansas School for the Blind Kansas City. 

Kansas School for the Deaf Olathe. 

Denominational Schools 

Baker University, Methodist Episcopal Baldwin. 

Bethany College, Swedish Lutheran Lindsborg. 

Bethany College, Episcopalian Topeka. 

Bethel College, Mennonite Newton. 

Campbell University Holton. 

College of Emporia, Presbyterian Emporia. 

College Preparatory School (Private) Atchison. 

Cooper College, United Presbyterian Sterling. 

Enterprise Normal Academy, German M. E Enterprise. 

Fairmount College, Congregational Wichita. 

Fowler Friends Academy, Friends Fowler. 

Friends University, Friends Wichita. 

Highland University, Presbyterian Highland. 

Haviland Academy, Friends Haviland. 

Kansas City University, United Brethren Kansas City. 

Kansas Wesleyan University, Methodist Episcopal Salina. 

McPherson College, Church of the Brethren McPherson. 

Midland College, Lutheran ,. Atchison. 

Mt. St. Scholastica's Academy, Catholic Atchison. 

Nazareth Academy, Catholic Concordia. 

Northbranch Academy, Friends Northbranch. 

Ottawa University, Baptist Ottawa. 

Southwestern College, Methodist Episcopal Winfield. 

St. Benedict's College, Catholic Atchison. 

St. John's Lutheran College, Lutheran Winfield. 

St. Martin's School, Episcopalian Salina. 

St. Mary's Academy, Catholic Leavenworth. 

St. Mary's Academy, Catholic Great Bend. 

St. Mary's College, Catholic St. Marys. 

Walden College, Evangelical McPherson. 

Washburn College, Congregational Topeka. 

State Penal or Corrective Institutions 

State Industrial Reformatory Hutchinson. 

State Industrial School for Girls Beloit. 

State Industrial School for Boys Topeka. 

State Penitentiary Lansing. 



APPENDIX 245 

State Benevolent Institutions 

State Training School Winfield. 

State Hospital for the Insane i opeka. 

State Hospital for the Insane Osawatomie. 

State Hospital for the Insane .Lamed. 

State Hospital for Epileptics Parsons. 

State Hospital for Tuberculosis Norton. 

Special Institutions 

State Soldiers' Home Fort Dodge. 

Mother Bickerdyke Home Ellsworth. 

Soldiers' Orphans' Home Atchison. 

State Colored Schools 

Topeka Industrial and Educational Institute Topeka- 

Western University Qumdaro- 

Federal Institutions 

Haskell Institute, Indian Lawrence. 

Pottawatomie Boarding School for Indians Nadeau. 

Federal Prison Leavenworth. 

National Soldiers' Home Leavenworth. 

United States Disciplinary Barracks Fort Leavenworth. 

(Military Prison.) 



246 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



BALANCE OF POWER IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE 
BETWEEN THE FREE AND THE SLAVE STATES 



FREE. 

Pennsylvania. 
New Jersey. 
Connecticut. 
Massachusetts. 
New Hampshire. 
New York. 
Rhode Island. 



SLAVE. 

Delaware. 
Georgia. 
Maryland. 
South Carolina. 
Virginia. 
North Carolina. 



The original thirteen states. 



Vermont, 1791. 
Ohio, 1802. 
Indiana, 1816. 
Illinois, 1818. 



11 
Maine, 1820. 



12 

Michigan, 1837. 
Iowa, 1846. 
Wisconsin, 1848. 



15 
California, 1850. 



16 

Minnesota, 1858. 
Oregon, 1859. 
Kansas, 1861. 



19 



Kentucky, 1792. 
Tennessee, 1796. 
Louisiana, 1812. 
Mississippi, 1817. 
Alabama, 1819. 



11 

Missouri, 1821. 
Arkansas, 1836. 



13 

Florida, 1845. 
Texas, 1845. 



15 



15 



15 



The Missouri Compromise, 
1820. 



First slave state majority. 
Last slave state. 



Compromise of 1850. 



Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 1854. 
The last chance for the 
South to win. 



Secession and the Civil War. 



APPENDIX 247 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTIES OF KANSAS 
Counties Organized Before 1860 

County. Date of Organization. County Seal. 

Allen 1855 Ida. 

Anderson 1855 Garnett. 

Atchison 1855 Atchison. 

Bourbon 1855 Fort Scott. 

Brown 1855 Hiawatha. 

Butler 1855 El Dorado. 

Chase 1859 Cottonwood Falls. 

Coffey 1859 Burlington. 

Dickinson 1857 Abilene. 

Doniphan 1855 Troy. 

Douglas • 1855 Lawrence. 

Franklin 1855 Ottawa. 

Geary* 1855 Junction City. 

Jackson^ 1857 Holton. 

Jefferson 1855 Oskaloosa. 

Johnson 1855 Olathe. 

Leavenworth 1855 Leavenworth. 

Linn 1855 Mound City. 

Marshall 1855 Marysville. 

Miami^ 1855 Paola. 

Morris^ 1855 Council Grove. 

Nemaha 1855 Seneca. 

Osage' 1855 Lyndon. 

Pottawatomie 1856 Westmoreland. 

Riley 1855 Manhattan. 

Saline 1859 Salina. 

Shawnee 1855 Topeka. 

Wabaunsee* 1859 Alma. 

Woodson 1855 Yates Center. 

Wyandotte 1855 Kansas City. 

1. Named Davis until 1889. 

2. Named Calhoun until 1859. 

3. Named Lykins until 1861. 

4. Named Wise until 1859. 

5. Named Weller until 1859. 

6. Named Richardson before 1859. 



248 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Counties Organized 1860-1870 

Cotnity. Date of Organization. County Seat. 

Cherokee 1866 Columbus. 

Clay 1866 Clay Center. 

Cloud» 1860 Concordia. 

Crawford 1867 Girard. 

Ellis 1867 Hays. 

Ellsworth 1867 Ellsworth. 

Greenwood 1862 Eureka. 

Labette^ 1867 Oswego. 

Lyon^ 1860 Emporia. 

Marion 1860 Marion. 

Montgomery 1869 Independence. 

Neosho^ 1864 Erie. 

Ottawa 1866 Minneapolis. 

Republic 1868 Belleville. 

Washington 1860 Washington. 

Wilson 1865 Fredonia. 

1. The original name, Shirley, changed to Cloud in 1867. 

2. Part of Dorn County until 1861. Named Neosho until 1867. 

3. Named Breckinridge until 1862. 

4. Named Dorn until 1861. 



APPENDIX 249 

Counties Organized 1870-1880 

County. Date of Organization. County Seat. 

Barber 1873 Medicine Lodge. 

Barton 1872 Great Bend. 

Cliautauqua 1875 Sedan. 

Cowley 1 1870 Winfield. 

Decatur 1879 Oberlin. 

Edwards 1874 Kinsley. 

Elk= 1875 Howard. 

Ford 1873 •. . . Dodge City. 

Harper* 1878 Anthony. 

Harvey 1872 Newton. 

Hodgeman 1879 Jetmore. 

Jewell 1870 Mankato. 

Kingman 1874 Kingman. 

Lincoln 1870 Lincoln. 

McPherson 1870 MePherson. 

Mitchell 1870 Beloit. 

Norton 1872 , . . . Norton. 

Osborne 1871 Osborne. 

Pawnee 1872 Larned. 

Phillips 1872 Phillipsburg. 

Pratt* 1879 Pratt. 

Reno . 1872 Hutchinson. 

Rice 1871 Lyons. 

Rooks 1872 Stockton. 

Rush 1874 La Crosse. 

Russell 1872 Russell. 

Sedgwick 1870 Wichita. 

Smith 1872 Smith Center. 

Stafford 1879 St John. 

Sumner 1871 Wellington. 

Trego 1879 Wa Keeney. 

1. Originally named Hunter. 

2. Originally the northern portion of Howard County. 

* First organization in 1873, later set aside as fraudulent. 



250 A HISTORY OF KANSAS 

Counties Organized 1880-1890 

County. Date of Organization. County Seal. 

Cheyenne 1886 St. Francis. 

Clark 1885 Ashland. 

Comanche* 1885 Coldwater. 

Finneyi 1884 Garden City. 

Gove 1886 Gove. 

Graham 1880 Hill City. 

Grant 1888 Ulysses. 

Gray 1887 Cimarron. 

Greeley 1887 Tribune. 

Hamilton 1886 Syracuse. 

Haskell 1887 Santa Fe. 

Kearny 1888 Lakin. 

Kiowa 1886 Greensburg. 

Lane 1886 Dighton. 

Logan 1887 Russell Springs. 

Meade 1885 Meade. 

Morton 1886 Richfield. 

Ness* : .. 1880 Ness City. 

Rawlins 1881 Atwood. 

Scott 1886 Scott. 

Seward 1886 Liberal. 

Sheridan 1880 Hoxie. 

Sherman 1886 Goodland. 

Stanton 1887 Johnson. 

Stevens 18«6 Hugoton. 

Thomas 1885 Colby. 

Wichita 1886 Leoti. 

Wallace 1888 Sharon Springs. 

1. Named Sequoyah until 1883. 

* First organization in 1873, later set aside as fraudulent. 



INDEX 



Abilene, 157. 

Actual Settlers' Association, 68. 

Adams, Franklin G., 231. 

Adams, Zu, 231. 

Admission of Kansas, 98, 106. 

Asrricultural College, 143, 163, 197, 201. 

Agricultural Society, 143, 163. 

Agriculture, Board of, 163. 

Asricultnre, tauEht to the Indians, 45, 
142; Territorial davs, 142: durins; 
Civil War, 143; 1860 to 1880, 147; 
1880 to 1887, 148; 1887 to 1893, 148; 
1893 to 1!)18, 153: basis of pros- 
perity, 171 ; in schools, 191, 195. 

Aid from the East, 106, 121. 

Air Service, 139. 

-Vlfalfa, 150, 151. 

Allerton, Ellen P., 233. 

Alliance, Farmers', 161. 

.\mendmpnts to the Constitution, 136; 
to National Constitution, 137. 

-Vnimunition Train, 139. 

Anderson, John A., 230. 

Andreas' History of Kansas, 233. 

.Vnti-cigarette I^aw, 136. 

Appendix, 223-250. 

Apple Crop, 160. 

Aplington, Kate A., 234. 

Argonne, 139. 

.\rizona, 29. 

Arkansas City, 128. 

"Array of the North," 89. 

Ash Creek, 37. 

Atchison, D. R., 73, 74. 

Atchison, 21, 42, 68, 168; county, 20. 

Atchison. Topoka & Santa Fe, building 
of, 178, 180. 

.Vttornevs-General, Territorial, 236; 
State, 239. 

Auditors, Territorial, 235; State, 238. 

.Automobile, 184. 

Baker University, 204, 244. 

Balance of Power, 57 ; table of, 246. 

Baptist Missions, 225. 

Barber, murder of, 83. 

Barton County, 207. 

Becknell, journey of, 29. 

Bfecher, Henry Ward, 87. 

Beet Sugar Factory, 153. 

Berryman, Rev. J. C, 225. 

Bickerdyke, Mary .\., 231. 

Black Jack, battle of, 86. 



Blackmar, F. W., 234. 

"Bleeding Kansas," 91. 

Blue Lodges, 65. 

Bluemont College, 201. 

"Blue Sky" Law, 136. 

Board of Administration, 204. 

Board of Agriculture, 163. 

Bogus Legislature, 74, 76, 78, 89, 220, 
223. 

Boom, 127, 148. 

Boston, 69. 

Branson, Jacob, 79, 80. 

Brewer, David J., 230. 

Brick, 167, 170. 

Broom Corn, 151. 

Brown, John, 85; at Pottawatomie, 
86, 97; at Osawatomie, 86, 90; site 
of battle field, 211; monument, 212, 
213. 

Buchanan, President, 98. 

Buffalo, 9, 18, 21, 25, 33, 36, 37, 48, 116, 
123, 124, 143. 

Building Stone, 166. 

Butler County, 117, 168, 169. 

Cabeza de Vaca, 10, 11, 36. 

Cache, how made, 38. 

California, 29, 175; gold seekers, 41; 
gold fields, 41; Road, 42, 69; emi- 
gration to, 62. 

Camp Funston, 138. 

Capital, State, 99. 

Capitals, Territorial, 223. 

Capitol, State, 130. 

Carruth; William Herbert, 234. 

Carson, Kit, 41. 

Catholic priests, 16; missions, 49, 226. 

Cattle Trade, 157-159. 

Census, first Territorial, 73. 

Cherokee County, 166. 

Chief Justices, Territorial, 236; 
State, 240. 

Child-labor Law, 136. 

Cibola, 11. 

Cimarron Crossing, 38. 

Cimarron River, 32, 38. 

Civil War, 109-113, 115 129, 131, 143,166. 

Clark, Esther M., 234. 

Clark, William, 20. 

Cloud County, 115. 

Coal, 166. 

Colby, 163. 

Coleman, 79. 



(251) 



252 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Colleges, list of, 244. 

College of Emporia, 204. 

Columbus, 9, 10. 

Colorado, 22, 29, 151, 153. 

Comanche Indians, 25, 33. 

Commercial Work, 195. 

Commission, Railroad, 182. 

Congressmen, 242, 243. 

Connelley, William Elsey, 234. 

Consolidated Schools, 191; Districts, 
195. 

Constitution, Topeka, 78, 94, 223; Le- 
compton, 94, 95, 96, 223; Leaven- 
worth, 96, 223; Wyandotte, 98, 99, 
106, 223. 

Constitutions, summary of, 223. 

Corn, 156. 

Coronado, 1014, 49; monument for, 
213 ; sword of, 216. 

Cortez, 10, 29. 

Cotton Gin, 55. 

Council Grove, 33, 34, 72, 210. 

Counties Organized, 113, 122; lists of, 
248-250. 

County High School, 193. 

Cowboy, 158, 159. 

Crawford County, 166. 

Crawford, Samuel J., 117, 234. 

Crops of Kansas, 147, 148. 

Dairying, 157. 

Daughters of American Revolution, 210. 

Democratic Party, 98, 

Denominational Schools, 204, 244. 

Denver, Governor, 97. 

Dodge City, 12, 163 ; cattle trade 

center, 158. 
Domestic Science, 192. 
Don Carlos, Mrs. Louise Cooke, 234. 
Doniphan County, 20. 
Douglas County, 79. 
Douglas, Stephen A., 58. 
Dow, 79. 
Drouth, 67, 104, 105, 106, 119, 127, 

142, 148. 
Dugout, 102. 

Education, 187-206 ; see Schools. 
Eldridge, 85. 
Election, first Territorial, 72 ; second 

Territorial, 73. 
Electric Railways, 182, 183. 
Elwood, 176. 

Emigrant Aid Company, 63, 64, 65, 85. 
Emporia, 197. 



English, 17. 

Exodus, 125. 

Experiment Station, 163. 

Extension Work, 204. 

Farmers' Alliance, 161. 

Farmers' Educational and Cooperative 

Union, 163. 
Farmers' Institutes, 162. 
Farmers' Organizations, 160. 
Farming Implements, 143-146. 
Father Padilla, 48. 
Feterita, 153. 
Fire-escape Law, 136. 
Floods, 133. 

Foreign Settlements, 180, 181. 
Fort Dodge, 38, 52, 228. 
Fort Hays, 52, 228. 

Fort Hays Kansas Normal School, 194. 
Fort Leavenworth, 50, 52, 139, 227. 
Fort Rilev, 51, 52, 72, 75, 139, 211, 

212, 227. 
Fort Scott, 52, 166, 227. 
Forts, list of, 227-229. 
"Forty-niners," 41. 
Fourth of July Creek, 21. 
France, 16, 139; end of claims in 

America, 17-18. 
Franklin, 33, 89. 
Fremont, John C, 41. 
Friends Missions, 49, 225. 
Friends University, 204. 
Funston, Fred, 129. 
Fur Traders, 47. 
Garden City, 153, 163. 
Gardner, 42. 
Gas, 167, 168, 171. 
Gasoline Tractor, 147. 
Geary, John W., 90, 91, 92, 94. 
Giles, F. W., 233. 
Glass, 171 ; factories, 167, 171. 
Gleed, Charles, 233. 
Glick, Geo. W., 211. 
Gold Seekers, 41, 42. 
Good Roads, 183, 193; federal aid, 183. 
Goss, Nathaniel S., 233. 
Governors, Territorial, 235; State, 237. 
Graham, Effie, 234. 
Grange, 160. 

Grasshopper Invasion, 121, 122, 127. 
Gray, Alfred, 231. 

Great American Desert, 24, 26, 29, 
106, 122. 



INDEX 



253 



Groat Bend, 1218. 

(.Iveaf Salt Lake, 41. 

(ireat Seal of Kansas, 116. 

(irocnwood County, 117. 

Gregg, .Tosiali, 34. 

Gypsum, 168, 170. 

Hall of Fame, 211. 

Hanielton, 97. 

Hand Planter, 143, 144. 

Hard-surfaced Roads, 184. 

Harser. Charles M., 234. 

Hrnris. William A., 230. 

Harvey, Henry, 225-226, 233. 

Hays. 163. 

Highland Collese, 49, 225. 

High Schools, accredited, 193, 195. 197; 

purpose of, 195 ; courses, 195. 
Hinton, R. J., 233. 
Historical Society, 214, 215. 
History of Kansas, 207, 221. 
Homes of Kansas, poem, 101. 
Homestead Law, 117, 118. 
Horner, Hattie, 233. 
Horses, used on Santa Fo Trail. 33. 
Ihirtieulture, 159. 
Household Arts, 191, 195. 
Howe, E. W., 233, 234. 
Hudson. Mary W., 233. 
Hutchinson, 167, 169. 
Illinois, 64. 
Tiiiuiigration, 64, 65, 67, 88, lOSlOt;, 

115, 117-118, 122, 129, 180, 181. 
Independence, 33. 
Independence Creek, 21. 
Indiana, 64. 
Indian Territory, 46. 
Indians. 9, 20, 21, 22, 55, 72, 135; tribes 
of, 26; and traders, 31; experience 
with, 38; possessed Kansas, 45-53: 
reservations, 46 ; taught in missions, 
49; removal of, 45-46; raids, 109. 
115, 117; as farmers, 142; raised 
corn. 156. 
Industrial Training, 195. 
Tndu.-itries of Kansas, 142171. 
Ingalls, John J., 87, 211, 218, 233. 
Tnnian. Henry, 233, 234. 
Institutions, State, 244, 245. 
Insurance, Superintendents of, 241. 
Interstate Commerce Commission. 182. 
Intcrurban Lines, 183. 
Inwa, 64, 88, 89. 
"Iron Trail," 179. 



Irrigation, 149. 

Irving. Washington, 24. 

Irwin, Rev. S. M., 225. 

Jayhawkers, 96. 

Jefferson, President, 17, 20. 

.lesuits, 16, 48. 

Johnson, Mrs. Elizabeth A., 209. 

Johnson, Rev. Thomas, 50. 225. 

Johnson. William, 225. 

Joliet. 16. 

Jones, Sheriff, 79, 81. 83. 

Junction City, 13. 

Juvenile Courts, 136. 

Kafir Corn, 151. 

Kansas, admission of, 98. 106. 

Kau.sas Citv, 39. 50, 65, 66, 68. 112. 

133, 166, 167, 174, 177. 
Kansas History, in the making. 221. 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 58, 63. 
Kansas Pacific Railroad. 177. 
Kansas Spirit, 217-221. 
Kansas Territory, map, 56; organiza- 
tion, 58. 
Kansas Today, 135, 136. 
Kanza Indians, 25, 33, 46. 
Kaw Indians, same as Kanza Indians. 
King, Henry, 233. 
Kingman, Samuel A., 230. 
La Croix, Father, 226. 
Land Grants, 180. 
Lane, James H., 78, 79. 87, 89, 99. 
La Salle, 16. 

Lawrence, 65, 68, 79, 80, 83, 88. 99, 
167; sacking of, 83; defense of. 91; 
Quantrill raid. 111; floods, 133, 135. 
Lawrence, ,\mos A., 67. 
Lead and Zinc, 167. 
Leavenworth, 42, 68, 168. 
Leavenworth Constitution, 96, 166. 223. 
Lecompton, 68, 69, 88, 95. 
Lecompton Constitution, 94, 95, 223. 
Leedy, Governor, 161. 
Legislature, Bogus, 74, 76, 79, 80; 

second Territorial, 94. 
Legislature, first Free-state, 95. 
Legislatures, summary of, 223. 
Length of school term, 187. 190. 
Lerrigo, Dr. C. H., 234. 
Lewelling, Governor, 161. 
Lewis and Clark, expedition of, 20 21, 

26. 
Lieutenant-Governors, 237. 
Lincoln, 110. 



254 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Lindsborg, 181. 

Linn County, 97, 112. 

Live Stock, 156-159. 

Locomotive, invention of, 174; old 

and modern, 182. 
Long, Major, 24. 
Louisiana, naming of, 16; purchase of, 

17, 20, 45, 57 ; exploration of, 20. 
Lykins, Dr. David, 225. 
Lykins, Dr. Johnson, 225. 
Manhattan, 68, 69, 177, 200, 201. 
Manual Training, 191, 192. 
Manual Training Normal School, 198, 

201. 
Manufactures, 165. 
Marais des Cygnes Massacre, 97, 212. 
Marion County, 117. 
Markham, Thomas B., 225. 
Marne, Battle of the, 139. 
Marquette, 16. 
Marysville, 176. 
Mason, Walt, 234. 
McCarter, Margaret Hill, 234. 
McCoy, Rev. Isaac, 49, 225. 
McCoy, Joseph G., 233. 
McKeever, W. A., 234. 
Meat Packing, 166, 181. 
Meeker, Jotham, 49, 225. 
Memorial Hall, 2, 213, 214. 
Memorials of Kansas, 207-215. 
Mendenhall, Rev. M., 226. 
Mennonites, 156, 180. 
Methodist Missions, 49, 50, 225. 
Mexico, 17, 21, 29; war with, 40, 50. 
Miller, Sol, 101. 
Milling, 165, 181. 
Milo, 153. 
Mine Creek, 112. 
Mineral Resources, 166. 
Minneola, 223. 
Mirage, 40. 

Missionaries, 47, 48, 49, 142. 
Missions, 53, 142; established, 49, 50; 

list of, 225, 226. 
Missouri Compromise, 57, 58, 246. 
Missouri River closed to free-state 

immigration, 88. 
Montgomery, James, 96. ' 

Monuments, 210-214. 
Moody, Joel, 233. 
Morgan, Wm. Y., 234. 
Mormons, 41, 52. 



Mormon Trail, 42. 
Mortgages, 128. 
Motor Trucks, 184. 

Mounds, 112. 

Mount Oread, 67, 203. 

Hunger, Mrs. Dell H., 234. 

Music, 191, 195. 

Mutual Benefit Association, 160. 

Narvaez, 10. 

National Army, 138, 139. 

National Government, protected trad- 
ers, 32 ; sent out Fremont, 41 ; re- 
moval policy of, 45; established Fort 
Leavenworth, 50, 52. 

National Guard, 139. 

Nebraska, 25, 42, 88, 89, 153. 

Neosho Valley, 33. 

Nevada, 29. 

New England Emigrant .'\id Company, 
first party. 65; second p;irfy. 67; 
third and fourth parties, 68. 

New Mexico, 11, 21, 29, 39. 

New Spain, 10, 11, 14. 

Nichols, Mrs. C. I. H., 231. 

Nineteenth Kansas, 117. 

Normal Schools, 196, 197, 198, 199, 
201, 203, 204, 244. 

Northern Route to Kansas, 88. 

Nurses in World War, 139. 

Officers, Territorial, 235, 236; State, 
237-243. 

Officers' Training Camps, 139. 

Ohio, 64. 

Oil, 167, 168, 169. 

Oklahoma, 24, 46, 59, 167; opeuing 
of, 128. 

"Old Mill," 144. 

Oregon, Emigrants to, 41. 

Oregon Trail, 42. 

Organization of Kansas Territory, 
55-59. 

Osage County, 166. 

Osage Indians, 21, 25, 33, 34, 45, 226. 

Osawatomie, 85; pillaged, 86; 
burned, 90. 

Ottawa University, 49, 204. 

Oxen, 33. 

Pack Mules, 31. 

Padilla, Father, 48. 

Padoucas, 25. 

Paine, Albert Bigelow, 233, 284. 

Panic of 1893, 129, 153. 

Patrons of Husbandry, 160. 



INDEX 



255 



Pawnee Capitol, 51, 75, 212. 

Pawnee Fork, 37. 

Pawnee Indians, 13, 22, 25, 33, 37; 

village, 21, 209. 
Pawnee Rock, 36, 37, 207, 209. 
Pawnee, town of, 75. 
Peck, George R., 233. 
Peffer, William A., 233. 
Peery, Rev. E. T., 225. 
Pennsylvania, 64. 
People's Party, 161. 
Phillips, William A., 233. 
Pierce, President, 62. 
Pike's Peak, 22. 
Pike, Zebulon Montgomery, 21-23, 25, 

29, 30, 209. 
Pioneer life, 102107, 122, 123, 124. 
Pioneer Schools, 189, 190. 
Pipe Lines, 167, 168. 
Plumb, Preston B., 230. 
Pomeroy, Samuel C, 67 ; made 

Senator, 99. 
Pony Express, 175. 
Popular Sovereignty, 58, 73. 
Population of Kansas, 1854, 53; 1855, 

73; 1859, 105; 1865, 113. 
Populist Party, 161. 
Portland Cement, 167, 170. 
Pottawatomie Massacre, 86, 97. 
Prentis, Noble L., 232, 233. 
Presbyterian Missions, 49, 225. 
Price Raid, 112. 
Printers, State, 240, 241. 
Prohibition Amendment, 136, 220; 

National, 137. 
Public Instruction, Superintendents 

of, 240. 
Public Utilities Commission, 182: 

law, 136. 
Quantrill Raid. Ill ; loss from, 112 ; 

monument, 214. 
Quivera, poem, 8. 

Quivira, land of, 11, 13 ; Indians, 25, 48. 
Railroad Commission, 182. 
Railroads, 127, 148, 174183; first one 

in Kansas, 176; Kansas advertised 

by, 180; relation to industries. 181; 

regulation of, 182 ; mileage, 181. 
Rainbow Division, 139. 
Realf, Richard, 233. 
Redpath, James, 233. 
Reeder, Andrew H., 72, 75, 78, 87. 
Regiments of Kansas soldiers, 117, 129. 



Regulation of Railroads, 182. 

Reign of Violence, 83-92. 

Removal Policy, 49. 

Republican Party, 98. 

Republic County, 21, 115, 209. 

Richardson, Albert D., 233. 

"Rifle Christians," 87. 

Road Materials, 184. 

Robinson, Dr. Charles, 67, 78, 79, 187. 
233: home burned, 85; held pris- 
oner, 88; first Governor, 99. 

Robinson, Mrs. Sara T. D., 231, 233. 

Ross, Edmund G., 231. 

Round Mound, 39. 

Rural Schools, pioneer, 189; modern, 
190, 191. 

Sacramento, 41. 

Salt, 169. 

Salt Lake, 175, 176. 

Salt Lake Trail, 69. 

San Francisco, 175, 176. 

Santa Fe, city, 29, 30, 40, 175. 

Santa Fe Trail. 29-41, 174, 179; map of, 
28; length of, 33, 42; marking of, 210. 

Schoenmaker, Rev., 226. 

Schools, established by missions, 49;/ 
Territorial, 187 ; first in Lawrence, 
187; subscription, 187; length of 
term, 187; during Civil War, 188; 
pioneer schools, 190; rural, 191, 
193; consolidated, 191; high schools, 
193; State, 196-205, 244; "Stand- 
ard," "Superior," 191; for blind, 
203; for deaf, 203; denominational, 
204, 244. 

School Teachers, qualifications, 191. 

Scott, Charles F., 233. 

Seal of State, 116. 

Secretaries, Territorial, 235; State, 238. 

Senate, 55. 

Senators, United States, 241. 

Seven Cities of Cibola, 11. 

Shannon, W.l.son, 76, 80, 86, 89. 

Shawnee Indians, 50. 

Shawnee Mission, 50; as capital, 76. 

Sheldon, Charles M., 233, 234. 

Simmerwell, Rev. Robert, 225. 

Slavery in United States, 57, 63. 

Slaves, 62. 63, 73, 74. 

Smith, F. Dumont, 234. 

Snow, Francis Huntington, 230. 
Sod Corn, 144. 
Sod House, 105. 



256 



A HISTORY OF KANSAS 



Sod Schoolhouse, 189. 

Soldiers, 41, 47, 213; furnished by 

Kansas, 109. 
Song of the Kansas Emigrant, 61. 
Sorghum Crops, 148, 151. 
Soudan Grass, 151. 
Southeastern Kansas, 96. 
Southern Aid, 88. 
Southwestern University, 204. 
Spain, 9, 13, 17. 
Spanish-American War, 129. 
Speer, John, 233. 
Spring, L. W., 233. 
Squatter Sovereignty, 58. 
Stage Lines, 174, 175. 
State Capitol, 130. 
State Fair, Leavenworth, 143. 
Steele, James \V., 233. 
St. John, Governor, 136. 
St. Joseph, 42, 175, 176. 
St. Mary's College, 49. 
St. Mihiel, 139. 
Stockyards, 154. 

Stone, building, 166; quarry, 170. 
Stringfellow, B. P., 74. 
' Sugar Beets, 153. 
Superintendents of Public Instruction, 

Territorial, 236; State, 240. 
Supplies Taken by Traders, 33. 
Swedish Settlements, 181. 
Sweet Clover, 151. 
Sword, old Spanish, 215. 
Tank Cars, 168. 
Teacher Training, 195. 
Tecumseh, 89. 
Telegraph, 176, 182. 
Telephone, 123, 182. 
Territorial Officers, 235, 236. 
Territory, government of, 72. 
Texas, 18, 23, 159. 
Thayer, Eli, 63, 65. 
The Caches, 38. 
The Three R's, 189, 191. 
The "2700," 91, 92. 
Tomlinson, W. P., 233. 
Topeka, 68, 69, 88, 99, 133, 135, 167. 
Topeka Constitution, 78, 94, 223. 
Topeka Movement, 223. 
Trading Post Ford, 112. 
Trading Posts, 47, 63. 



Trail Markers, 210. 

Trails, Santa Fe, 29-41; Oregon. 42; 

California, 42, 69; Mormon, 42; Salt 

Lake, 69. 

Trappers, 125. 

Traveling Libraries, 204. 

Treasurers, Territorial, 236 ; Stute, 
238-239. 

Truancy Law, 136, 190. 
Turk, 11. 

Twentieth to Twenty-third Kansas 

Regiments, 129. 
Underflow, 151. 

Union Pacific Railroad, 157, 176. 177, 
178, 213. 

University of Kansas, 65, 197, 202, 
203, 204. 

Utah, 29. 

Van Quickenborn, Father, 226. 

Wagons, used on Trail, 31, 39. 

Wakarusa War, 79-81. 

Walker, Governor, arrival of, 94 ; 
resigned, 97. 

War, Civil, 107, 109-113,129, 131; 
French and Indian, 17; Revolu- 
tionary, 17; Spanish-American, 
129; World, 137, 183. 

Ware, Eugene F., 208, 232, 234. 

Washburn College, 204, 244. 

Wattles, Willard, 234. 

Wellhouse, Frederick, 231. 

Wellington, 167. 

Western Kansas, 148, 149, 180. 

Westport, 33, 42, 79, 112. 

Wheat, 152, 155, 156. 

White, William Allen, 234. 

Wichita, 167. 

Wilder, Daniel W., 232, 233. 

Windmill, at Lawrence, 144; irriga- 
tion, 149. 

Winter of 1855-'56, 83. 

Woman's Kansas Day Club, 207. 

Woman's Relief Corps, 211. 

Woman Suffrage, 137. 

Wood, S. N., 87. 

Woodson, Daniel, 75; opened Kansas 

to invaders, 90. 
Woodward, Brinton W., 233. 
World War, 137, 183. 
Writers, Kansas, 233, 234. 
Wyandotte Constitution, 98, 106, 223. 
Zinc Smelters, 167. 



